BLOGS

In the past few months there has been a recurrence of protests across South Africa’s universities over free education. We see the headlines; we hear the voices on the news.  I am in no way diminishing the importance of this topic but I do want to draw our attention to those that are unseen and unheard. Those who do not get to protest.  Those who are not eligible for university entry because they got lost from the education system along the way. 
 

Although the right to birth registration is entrenched in the constitution of South Africa, it is estimated that each year about 100 000 children are not registered at birth in South Africa and 86% of undocumented children in our education system are South African. Without a birth certificate, most schools turn these children away. 
 

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) recently launched the Advisory Board. A panel of highly-influential individuals set on making a difference for children in South Africa by using their connections, voices and positions to do so. We are excited about the opportunities this new venture will bring us all and how it will shape the way we work with each other and our partners on the ground. 
 

Click here to download positive affirmations to be included in lunchbags/boxes for school-going children. 

Thanks to the unwavering support of many of our partners over the past year, Save the Children South Africa implemented a successful “children in emergencies” project starting March 2020. We led a national advocacy call for the inclusion of migrant and undocumented children and their families in the national emergency response plan which contributed to governments’ decision to remove all exclusionary requirements for aid, such as South African ID documents.

As the end of the tax year approaches, there is even more reason to donate more. This is because donations to Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) qualify as a tax-deductible expense, provided that the donation does not exceed 10% of the donor’s taxable income. Therefore, donations to us not only contribute to upholding the rights of a child but they may also save you money.

When we first launched Africa Legal, I won’t pretend that rights and well-being of children were at the top of the agenda.  Providing access to more affordable education across Africa and creating jobs - yes, very much so - but trying to address very painful issues of child poverty, exploitation and basic human rights for minors - no, there are much more capable people and organisations out there for that…aren’t there? 
 

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) has been working tirelessly to deliver emergency assistance to some of the most vulnerable children in our country.