Traditional leaders, government officials and community representatives met to discuss challenges facing children in the Nhlazuka area of the Richmond Municipality, during a child protection dialogue held at Vumukwenza Traditional Court on Monday morning.
Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo said the municipality was particularly worried about the high rate of teenage pregnancies in some communities, especially in Nhlazuka, and called for a united response from families, traditional leaders, government departments and residents.
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“We cannot remain silent while children are being abused or exposed to circumstances that compromise their future,” said Ngcongo.
The dialogue, hosted by the Department of Social Development, focused on strengthening child protection measures and finding practical solutions to issues affecting children’s wellbeing.
Ngcongo said protecting children should not be confined to Child Protection Month but must remain a priority throughout the year.
He said the gathering was intended to hear directly from traditional leaders, community members and stakeholders about what more could be done to address social challenges affecting children and improve protection mechanisms within communities.
Participants discussed the need for stronger collaboration between government, traditional leadership and residents to safeguard children’s rights and wellbeing.
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Inkosi uMqolombeni of KwaVumukwenza welcomed the initiative, saying communities had a responsibility to work together to protect vulnerable children and create safer environments for them.
The dialogue formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community-based responses to child abuse, neglect and other social challenges affecting young people in Richmond.
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