Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 04 November 2025 | 09:00 CAT

📸 National Children’s Day marked amid grim statistics – activists call for stronger child protection systems and real action beyond awareness campaigns.

While South Africa marked National Children’s Day this past weekend, sobering statistics reveal that 28 children are violently attacked daily – with three murdered, another three surviving attempted murder, and 21 suffering grievous bodily harm. These alarming figures cast a dark shadow over the upcoming 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, child activist Luke Lembrecht of Molo Songololo warned that awareness campaigns alone will not protect children without the necessary infrastructure and support systems.

“There’s a lot of awareness without resources. The child protection system is heavily under-resourced, and once we get cases coming forward, there’s no capacity to manage them,” he explained. “Awareness alone doesn’t prevent violence against children.”

Lembrecht outlined key areas where intervention is most urgent are the home, online spaces, and mental health.

“Children are most at risk of being harmed at home. Communities must look out for one another and support young mothers with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies,” he said, highlighting how social neglect often pushes children into cycles of vulnerability.

He added that online harm is an increasing threat.

“Parents must not confuse a child’s right to privacy with their duty to protect. The internet has become a dangerous space for many children,” he warned.

Mental health, too, remains a critical concern.

“Children are at risk to themselves due to poor mental health, which can lead to violence or self-harm. Communities must be alert to warning signs,” Lembrecht urged.

He stressed that society’s failure lies in how it views and values children.

“We talk a good game about children’s rights and the Constitution, but we still see children as property. We haven’t yet embraced the idea of their inherent dignity.”

As part of his personal campaign for the 16 Days initiative, Lembrecht said he would focus on raising awareness about unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, linking them to long-term risks of neglect and abuse.

He also called for a rethinking of the term “bullying,” which he argues often minimises serious violence among children.

“When we label severe assault as bullying, we deny help to both the victim and the offender. We should be using restorative justice approaches that help children rebuild and reintegrate into their communities,” he concluded.

As South Africa reflects on the state of its children, the message is clear – awareness must translate into action, and every child deserves to grow up in safety, dignity, and care.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Luke Lembrecht.