Media Advisory

Children continue to experience the effects of socio-economic challenges such as child mortality, malnutrition, stunting, poverty, child labour, teenage pregnancy, and the increasing impact of natural disasters linked to climate change.

To address these and other matters affecting the wellbeing of children, the Department of Social Development will on Thursday, 09 October 2025, lead the Children’s Parliament at the Goodhope Chamber, Parliament, Cape Town, under the theme “Amplifying the voices of children in planning and budgeting.”

The Children’s Parliament aims to reflect on the challenges facing children, particularly around participation, planning, and budgeting processes. It will also review progress made since the previous Children’s Parliament and the Africa Children’s Summit.

This sitting seeks to strengthen advocacy for children’s rights and responsibilities in South Africa, ensure meaningful child participation, and reinforce the inclusion of children’s perspectives in decision-making processes. During this year’s session, new child ambassadors will be inaugurated.

Ongoing efforts to formally integrate the Children’s Parliament into the national parliamentary system are being advanced through a partnership between the Department of Social Development, the Department of Basic Education, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Save the Children South Africa, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover Children’s Dialogue and Children’s Parliament planned as follows:

CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT PROGRAMME

Date:    Thursday, 09 October 2025

Time:   09h00

Venue: Good Hope Chamber, Cape Town

Media RSVPs may be directed to Ms Precious Mupenzi on 0837150034. 

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.