Pretoria, 03 October:_ The Department of Social Development will launch the Parenting Policy Benchmarking Report in Gauteng, led by Minister of Social Development, Honourable Sisisi Tolashe, in recognition of Social Development Month 2025.
The launch is under the theme “Building Resilient Families”, with a sub-theme “Reflection on Interventions Geared Towards Building Resilient Families”.
Families are the cornerstone of society and play a critical role in nurturing children, youth, adults, people with disabilities, and older persons. The focus on family solidarity highlights the importance of family members working together to sustain the family unit through challenges.
The Revised White Paper on Families in South Africa provides the policy framework to strengthen families through preventive and developmental social work programmes and integrates family issues into government-wide initiatives.
The Parenting Policy Benchmarking Report, developed with UNICEF, reviews parenting policies, programmes, institutional arrangements, and financing, offering key recommendations to enhance parenting support and family resilience.
On the same day, the department will use the QAPHELA! campaign at the Long Distance Bus Rank in Gauteng, Pretoria, to raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking, with domestic victims continuing to account for the majority of cases, highlighting an ongoing concern.
South Africa, a signatory to the Palermo TIP Protocol, passed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2013, making human trafficking a crime and establishing a legal framework to combat it.
The campaign seeks to safeguard vulnerable people by educating communities and fostering vigilance. The day will start with a walkabout at 07h00 from the Station Square Shopping Centre (Corner Bosman and Jeff Masemola Streets) to the bus rank, engaging the public and raising awareness on human trafficking.
Event details – launch of the Parenting Policy Benchmarking Report
Venue: 78 Foyle Ave, Brixton Mutlipurpose Community Centre, Mayfair West, Johannesburg, 2092
Date: Friday, 3 October 2025
Time: 11h00
Event details – Qaphela:
Venue: 546 Paul Kruger and Scheiding Streets, Bus and Train Station, Pretoria
Date: Friday, 3 October 2025
Time: 07h00
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Acting Chief Director: Communication Ms Sandy Godlwana on 082 678 5634.
