Children’s safety took centre stage on Saturday 24 May, as parents and early-childhood development centres (ECDs) practitioners converged for the annual ECD Parenting Awareness Walk in Langa.
Walkers were put into two groups, one starting their walk at Bhunga Avenue circle (near Nkandla) while the second group began the initiative on King Langalibalele Drive (near KFC). The groups later merged near Guga Sthebe Art Centre for the day’s proceedings.
The walk was attended by the Langa police officers. It raised awareness and empowered parents and caregivers with knowledge and skills to support the development of children holistically.
Thozama Tukulu, chair of the Langa Early Childhood Development Forum and principal of Khanyisile Educare Centre in Settlers, implored parents to register their children in local ECDs to ensure their safety.
“The centres are not only for educational purposes, but also safe spaces for the children. That is where the children learn and develop. A child learns fast when he or she is playing. That is why we appeal to parents to bring their children to our centres.” She said part of the walk was to showcase a united ECD forum.
Tukulu also urged parents to be mindful of their utterances and actions in front of their children, whose minds record almost everything.
“Some of the children tell us what their parents are doing at home, especially when they fight. However, when we invite the parents to try and talk to them some get angry and end up taking their children to other centres, which are also registered with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) so they are subject to the same policies and practices.”
Tukulu explained that the transfer of children from one facility another was a legal process and required a special letter stating the motivation for the change.
Parent Nomaza Mtambeka, from Zone 12, described the walk as helpful and educational. She said she learnt a lot during the event.
“I didn’t know our children were registered with the WCED,” she said. “I was also not aware that I can’t just take my child to another centre without a transfer letter.”
However, Mtambeka praised the forum for doing a great job of keeping their children. She added she didn’t have to worry about her child whenever she was at work.Speaking on behalf of the Langa Police Station, Sgt Nonkosi Maphukatha appealed to parents to look after their children. She said no child should be left in the care of relatives, including uncles or neighbours.
“We support any initiative that is protecting our community. We have a challenge of gender-based violence against women and children. We are appealing to children to report anything that is suspicious. They mustn’t allow anyone to touch them inappropriately.”
