07 Dec 2015

The social and community development office in Selebi Phikwe recently held a child law workshop. The workshop was meant to create awareness and sensitise stakeholders about the different child laws and how they impacted on children.

The workshop was also to inform stakeholders about the Children’s Act. Another objective was to share experiences on issues concerning childrens’ welfare.

When addressing attendants, the Selebi Phikwe deputy district commissioner, Mr Orapeleng Modimoopelo, urged parents to understand principles of the Children’s Act and Child Protection Regulations of 2015.

He said the laws were meant to protect children. Mr Modimoopelo also raised a concern that reports had been filed regarding parents not taking care of their children adding that reports of children’s inheritance not being handled accordingly by guardians had also been filed

For his part, the Selebi Phikwe principal social welfare officer, Mr Moeng Lesetedi, highlighted that his office was facing challenges with regard to the bill of rights which stated that children had the right to know and be cared for by parents.

He said some of the challenges included refusal to pay child maintenance by biological fathers. Furthermore, he explained that his office had received complaints of some mothers who denied biological fathers access to their children.

“Besides all these challenges, our main concern is of mothers who refuse to include children’s biological fathers’ names in their children’s birth certificate which is a violation of children’s rights because they have the right to know their fathers,” he said.

Kgosi Mark Thipe of Kagiso customary court in Selebi Phikwe said that dikgosi are the guardians of the customary law which also respects the children’s act. He said the constitution of the country also recognises Dikgosi and customary law which has always played an important role in the society.

“The customary law like other legal instruments dictates that dikgosi are the custodians and protectors of culture, customs and values, hence we carry the responsibility to promote positive value within the community including upholding of children’s rights,’’ Kgosi Thipe noted. ENDS