The names Kelly-Amber Koopman (12), Zahnia Woodward (6 months), Uthmaan Taliep (2), Alnika Mitchell (14), Qadir Boer (4), Machiano Geswind (4) and many others should never be forgotten.
They were children with dreams, laughter and futures ahead of them.
Instead, their lives were cut short by violence on the Cape Flats.
As the curtain comes down on National Child Protection Week today (5 June) under the theme “Working together in ending violence against children”, communities are reminded that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.
Statistics released by the Western Cape Department of Social Development paint a heartbreaking picture.
In the province, more than 43 000 children are currently in foster care, while a further 2 800 children are being cared for in NPO-run child and youth care centres.
The department also revealed that between October last year and March this year, nearly 2 000 reports of child abuse were received, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protection measures and community involvement.
Gone are the days when communities helped raise the children; today, many families face the challenges of parenting in isolation, making it more important than ever for neighbours, schools, organisations and community leaders to work together to protect and support young people.
Children deserve safe homes, safe streets and safe schools. They deserve to play without fear, to grow without trauma and to dream without violence interrupting their futures.
Parents and caregivers, please speak openly to your children, know where they are, check their phones and social media platforms, listen to their fears and create spaces where they feel safe and protected.
To our government, create more jobs so that children don’t have to stand on street corners begging for food.
To our justice system, implement stricter laws and ensure swift justice for those perpetrating child murders, abuse and violence against children.
As a community, we can no longer turn our backs and look the other way, report abuse, neglect and violence, and let’s stand together in protecting the most vulnerable.
To the children: your voice matters. If something feels wrong or unsafe, speak to a trusted adult, teacher, family member, social worker or community leader.
You are not alone, and there are people who care about your safety and wellbeing.
Let us be reminded that in Matthew 18:10 the Bible says: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
This scripture reminds us that children are precious in the eyes of God and worthy of our protection, care and respect.
Meaning we have a mandate to care for children, to safeguard their wellbeing, to speak out against abuse and neglect, and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Child protection is not only a conversation for one week in the year.
It is a daily responsibility. Every child matters, every child deserves love and every child deserves the chance to simply be a child.
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