[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

12 September 2007

At is weekly Cabinet Meeting held in Pietermaritzburg today, 12 September 2007, the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet announced that it is to run a Public Education Campaign on the Children's Act 2005 in the province in order to ensure that children and their rights are not abused to serve individual interests.

This follows statements made through speeches and song at the Reed Dance Ceremony held at Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal where the provincial government came under attack as a result of the Act. Cabinet received a report on the ceremony and also an update on some of the stipulations in the Children's Act, particularly on the issue of virginity testing.

"In as much as we respect, I think we need to be respected," KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele said at the Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet was informed that although the Children's Act prohibited virginity testing of children under the age of 16, it allowed the practice for those over the age of 16. The Act also prohibited the marking of children who had undergone virginity testing as this violated their right to privacy. Cabinet was also informed that the Act also prohibited circumcision of children under the age of 16, unless it was for religious or medical reasons or with the consent of the child.

The Act protected the rights of children as stipulated in the Bill of Rights and no individual would be allowed to break the law, Cabinet said. A public campaign would, however, soon be undertaken by the provincial government to educate the public on these rights as enshrined in the Children's Act of 2005.

Cabinet also received a report on the erosion and damage to the province's coastline. The report painted a serious picture on the damage done to the province's coast by recent weather phenomena and warned of worse consequences if remedial measures were not taken immediately. These included adequate environmental care, effective early-warning systems and proper shoreline management planning. Cabinet would discuss the matter further at its Indaba next week.

Cabinet was also briefed on preparations for the upcoming Presidential Imbizo in October.

A sod-turning ceremony will also be conducted on the construction site of the Dube Trade Port on 14 September 2007, Cabinet was informed.

Cabinet also received a report on the preliminary draw provisional plan for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Federation International Football Association (Fifa) officials are expected in Durban on 22 November 2007.

Enquiries:
Cecil Mandla Msomi
Cell: 082 317 3727

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
12 September 2007
Source: SAPA