My child, your child, our child

Our dynamic youth day, June 16, has been declared as the International Day of the African Child by the United Nations–a day that has been celebrated as such every year since 1991 by the Organisation of African Unity.

Thousands of black learners took to the streets 28 years ago to protest against Bantu Education and the imposition of Afrikaans as medium of instruction. Police had instigated innocent girls and boys to choose violence.

Unprecedented protests followed, in which thousands were injured and hundreds murdered. This day honours the memory of those martyred and the heroism of all those who marched for freedom and equality.

We are challenged to reflect on the lives of African children today. This year’s UN theme is: “Popularising the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child”.

Children continue to suffer the brutality of paedophiles. Places that are close to the child–church, home and school–are not always safe, and people children trust–parent, uncle, neighbour, priest and teacher–are looked upon with suspicion.

Surely the best interests of the child must precede the rights of the criminal. If a paedophile must be rehabilitated, locked up or shamed in public, so be it.

The poor child suffers low self-esteem because her world is below par. Her parents are not only illiterate, they are unemployed and unskilled. She has to walk to school, while her classmate may be driven there in a BMW. She has to eat stale and rotten food thrown away by neighbours.

No child must be allowed to suffer these inequalities, hangovers in part of apartheid. No child must pay for her parents’ sins.

Have compassion on the girl child who has turned her body into a profit-making utility. Do not condemn her. Do not judge her. You do not understand where she comes from. You are not part of her world. If you live in a glasshouse, do not throw stones. It is not utopian to wish all children equal dignity.

Let us help that boy whose name shall be Childless. Heartless charlatans castrated his manhood in the name of culture and tradition. During this winter, many boys will be swindled into circumcision and pain. Lucky ones will come home alive. The rest are eaten by the Initiation. Let all who value ubuntu condemn all who abuse culture and tradition for financial gain.

See that child who has tendencies towards violence and behaviour that is wayward. His world is nothing but violent. It has become normal for father to beat mother. The only correctional therapy he knows is corporal punishment. The toys that he plays with are instruments of war. His TV glorifies the hero who wins by violent ways. Give each child space and time to play.

How will he survive when his parents, uncles and aunts have died of Aids-related diseases? Who will teach him the wisdom of adulthood and parenthood? Some of the people he knows laugh at his unfortunate circumstances. No one has time for him. Everyone is busy looking after his or her own ego.

See that child growing at a tender age without parental love and care. This child does not know the meaning of breadwinner. She only knows hardship and struggle. Where will she get income? Basic needs that the psychologist Abraham Maslow talks about are only a dream. If she is not secure at home, do not be surprised to see her in the streets.

The child asks: Where is God? How long must I suffer this way? I am only a child. I am sinless if not for original sin. Give me a reason why I must believe in a compassionate and just God.

This is my child, your child, our child.