Nie Cele
Dozens of communities and children in and around Klipspruit West in Soweto converged at the nearby Safe Park to witness a momentous event that featured announcement of Partnership between Momentum Insure, UNICEF South Africa and National Department of Social Development in changing the lives of the communities.
The three stakeholders agreed to improve the quality of services in Safe Parks and to integrate adolescent and youth-friendly programmes in these spaces.
Safe Parks are places where children can go to learn, and play while being supervised and nurtured by a wide range of professionals and caregivers.
A terse statement disseminated to the media chronicled a detailed factual notion that protection and safety of children continue to be a critical concern within communities across South Africa, as violence against children threatens the lives and wellbeing of children daily.
“Feeling and being safe is a child’s right and is essential for their development and upbringing, as it contributes to positive childhood experiences and a more successful journey into adulthood. Safety enables so many possibilities as it eliminates persistent fear and encourages confidence,” Read the statement.
Brand Pretorius, CEO of Momentum Insure told the packed audience this was a long standing partnership tailor-made to take such programmes from strength to strength.
He further revealed most of these communities don’t have resources they need.
“For our business we have committed a three year partnership. It’s a flagship programme pilot project. We will decide our direct involvement in the next three years.
“Safety is a basic human need that lays the foundation for their other needs and instills a sense of confidence in people that will enable them to embark on their journey towards success. Without that sense of safety, many commodities would be restricted as there would be an element of fear to hinder them. At Momentum Insure, we strive to offer certainty for what matters most, when it matters most – keeping you and your loved ones safe,” said, Pretorius.
At the same event, Momentum Insure staff members also participated in various activities including planting vegetable gardens, painting the park’s fence, and incorporating painted handprints of all participants and kids, as well as engaging with them by playing games such as Jenga, Monopoly, and chess.
The Klipspruit Safe Park had a pre-existing vegetable garden with the likes of carrots, onions, and spinach, the Momentum Insure team further added to this array by planting pumpkins, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, and beetroot.
On the sidelines UNICEF Deputy Representative, Muriel Mafico told this publication Safe Parks are centres for recreation for vulnerable children where they learn, get a meal and eat a healthy meal like other children.
She also revealed 1.4 million populations benefited from Safe Parks around the country since establishment of these institutions.
Dr Tebogo Mabe, Director National Department of Social Development told this reporter a partnership of this magnitude was a great milestone because government cannot do things alone.
“As government we try and mitigate child vulnerability by offering Psycho social support services so that we can build resilience.
DID YOU KNOW?
Safe Parks are spaces for recreation and empowerment created especially for vulnerable children.
According to statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) on average, more than 20 children are victims of violence every day in South Africa.
