In a historic event in parliament on Wednesday, about 100 children from all nine provinces and a handful representing the African Union (AU) addressed representatives of the Presidency and members of the committee monitoring children's quality of life on issues they face daily. Most of the children were from poor, rural and farming communities. Delegations, that included children with disabilities, were selected by the Office of the Rights of the Child in the Presidency (ORC).

For some the occasion proved a little taxing and they fell asleep on parliament's comfortable benches.
The consultation in parliament's Old Assembly was the first of its kind and commemorated the AU's "Day of the African Child in South Africa".
The children met Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and representatives of the ministries of social development and education.

Each delegation made recommendations on one specific issue - including violence, virginity testing, school transport, child labour, xenophobia and poverty.

Western Cape children said they felt unsafe at school as violence sometimes prevented them from attending classes. Those with disabilities were particularly vulnerable.

They said in some cases classmates went missing only to be found dead in the veld.

The children appealed to community organisations and companies to assist government in protecting them, their communities and schools from crime.

They also asked government for more sports, recreation, cultural and computer programmes.

Owners of shebeens open after sunset had to be arrested and child abusers should not be let out of prison, they said.

KwaZulu-Natal children said virginity testing was good as it prevented HIV infection and teen pregnancy by alerting parents to abuse.

They felt it was unfair that only girls were tested, and asked that boys receive morality training.

The children said government should not give teens child grants, because it discouraged abstinence, with mothers misusing the money.

Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, chairperson of parliament's Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Children, Youth and Disabled Persons (JMC), said: "More education should be done so children can understand the laws and policies that affect their lives.

"We need a lot more oversight work. It is important for these children to see that MPs are taking them seriously."

The JMC will pass the children's recommendations on to each of parliament's portfolio committees.

The JMC members will then provide the children with feedback through the ORC provincial offices and personal visits.


By Karen Breytenbach
From .int.iol.co.za