Looking back at National Child Protection Week, the need for all sectors of South African society to perpetually mobilise, care for and protect children as the most vulnerable members of our society is a big undertaking. It is a call to action that should not be forgotten for the remaining 51 weeks of the year, and there are many organisations around the country whose sole purpose is safeguarding the young 24/7/365

On Friday 22 June a group of young adults from townships across Johannesburg and Mfuleni in the Cape gathered for their very own Child Protection Imbizo.

Afrika Tikkun is one such organisation and their focus on child and youth development in underprivileged communities means that their work in child protection is essential to their core objectives. Afrika Tikkun’s Memeza Bazokuzwa (‘Speak out, they will hear you’) campaign is a yearlong effort intended to strengthen the capacity of children to speak out against abuse and to empower families and communities to hear them and take action. In addition, Afrika Tikkun’s Child Protection Week activities included parades at four of their Centres of Excellence, which aimed to instil the message amongst their young people.

Then, on Friday 22 June a group of young adults from townships across Johannesburg and Mfuleni in the Cape gathered for their very own Child Protection Imbizo, further cementing the view that child protection efforts in South Africa are necessary and demonstrating that the youth themselves are waking up to the call.
You can watch an extract from the Child Protection Week parades on Afrika Tikkun’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np46zt6s8rA.

You can also watch the Memeza Bazokuzwa campaign videos for Afrika Tikkun’s young people on the YouTube channel – ‘Family, Memeza!’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEmf51_Bz5U, ‘Neighbour, Memeza!’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hA8n4rL4FQ, and ‘Social Worker, Memeza!’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeslVUndMXM.

For more information on Afrika Tikkun call 011 325 5914, email info@afrikatikkun.org or visit www.afrikatikkun.org.