The majority of young children in South Africa have been negatively impacted by a range of social and economic inequalities. Apartheid and the resultant socio-economic inequalities have created a childhood of adversity for most African children including inadequate access to health care, education, social services and quality nutrition. This has undermined the development of our youngest children.

Within the South African constitution, through the Bill of Rights, provision is made for children’s socio-economic rights, including the right to basic education, and protection from neglect, abuse and exploitation. However, as outlined in a report by the National Children’s Rights Committee (NCRC) and NPOs, “South Africa still has a long way to go to effect quality of life for the majority of her chil