Children are the future of South Africa

A nation without mentorship of young people is a doomed country. In realization of ensuring that children’s rights are protected, the 1996 South African Constitution has made provision in section 28 that the children’s best interest is of paramount importance in all matters concerning them.

The first Saturday of November is set aside to allow South African children to engage with office bearers about what they have observed, and what they wish to see change by holding those in position of authority accountable to issues relating to children.

Mookgopong Primary school, in the Waterberg District was a destination for the provincial government to convene such an important event led by MEC for Social Development Florence Radzilani, in accordance with the national government to maximise the voices of children in planning and budgeting processes.

As part of instilling responsibility amongst children, the provincial government allowed future leaders to lead from the front by running the programme of the day, including being speakers delivering messages as part of engagement with fellow learners and stakeholders.

Delivering her maiden speech as a newly elected child ambassador for Limpopo province, Lefentse Mashishi from Esther Maleka Comprehensive High School in the Sekhukhune District, focused on Gender Based Violence and Femicide amongst young people in Limpopo province. She challenged government to come up with measures to ensure children’s safety in schools and dwellings which are regarded are their safe space.

“We are not safe in what is supposed to be a safe space because, at school our educators are our perpetrators while back at home our own fathers and uncles are abusing and killings us instead of protecting us. We don’t know were to go to seek help and protect our rights as children and future leaders of South Africa”.

In October 2025, Lefentse represented Limpopo province at the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s parliament in Cape Town where she was recognized for her advocacy role in children’s matters, by making inputs at a national level on discussions and resolutions to ensure that children across the country and her province are safe guarded not only on paper but also in reality.

Representing the provincial government, MEC Radzilani said children are the purest expression of hope and, in responding to Ambassador Mashishi’s call to be safeguarded in war against the abuse of children, she replied by re assuring safety for children.

“The protection and well-being of children remain a core priority for the Limpopo provincial government. We continue to monitor, respond and prevent incidents of abuse such as physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, abandonment and exploitation and raising awareness in communities about the rights of children.” Said Radzilani

With mental health as a crisis that needs urgent attention amongst children, school governing bodies are working together with relevant stakeholders such as the South African Police Service and Department of Social Development to ensure that the well-being and rights of South African children are realized. EC