On  the 6th May 2014,  the Constitutional Court handed down a judgment declaring section 50(2)(a) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (Sexual Offences Act) unconstitutional. The section provides that when a person is convicted of a sexual offence against a child or person who is mentally disabled, a court must […]

Commentary by Childline SA In the opening paragraphs of his “State of the Nation” address, President Zuma noted the importance of the National Development Plan and the need to address unemployment, poverty and inequality – all of which touch deeply on the lives of children. However, apart from noting the need for consultation across the […]

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international campaign. It takes place every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The period includes Universal Children’s Day and World AIDS Day. During this time, the South African Government runs […]

by Joan van Niekerk, Childline SA National Coordinator There has been mixed reaction to the 2009 budget speech of Minister Trevor Manual. He has been lauded by many for presenting a budget that balances various interests as well as taking into account the present global recession and its impact on the South African economy. However […]