Child Welfare South Africa Newsletter

FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S (NED) DESK

Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) has maintained the momentum of highlighting the need for child protection on all fronts. Child protection remains a priority for CWSA..

NASW-SA TO HOLD CONFERENCE

The first independent conference of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-SA) was held from 28 to 30 September 2011 in Durban. The theme of the conference was “Repositioning Social Service Professions for a Developmental State.”

BENNY OBAYI: ASIBAVIKELE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR FOR EASTERN CAPE

Benny Obayi is the Asibavikele: Let’s Protect Them Provincial Programme Coordinator for Eastern Cape Province.

REFLECTING ON CWSA’S JOURNEY ON MANDELA DAY

As the world reflected on Madiba’s legacy on his birthday this year, we at CWSA also took the opportunity to reflect on the journey that CWSA has travelled. Madiba’s values of selfless giving is what CWSA’s history is built on.

CONGRATULATING PRAVEEN SHAM ON HIS NEW APPOINTMENT

On behalf of the CWSA, the National Executive Director, Ashley Theron would like to congratulate Praveen Sham on his appointment as a co-chairperson of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) in March 2011.

Saluting Dr Franklin Sonn's Commitment to Child Protection

When approached to serve as the CWSA Patron, Dr Franklin Sonn declared himself willing to do so and said that he would regard such a position as a great honour and would do everything in his power to bring value to CWSA and its members.

Dr Sonn who is also the Chairperson of Impumelelo's Board, is well-known for his positions as the Rector of the Peninsula Technikon from 1978 to 1994 and his appointment by President Mandela as South Africa's Ambassador to the United States of America in 1995. Dr Sonn served as Chairperson or Non-Executive Director of numerous companies including Airports Company of South Africa and ABSA.

Dr Sonn is a graduate of the University of South Africa and the University of the Western Cape and also holds numerous honorary doctorates from the national and international universities and other educational institutions. He has also been awarded with the National Order Award, for his exceptional contribution towards education and influencing the course of justice in South Africa.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr Sonn plays a remarkable role in advocating for children's protection through his encouraging speeches. He made numerous efforts to ensure that people are aware of the role and programmes of CWSA in different arenas.

Dr Sonn believes that families and communities have a large responsibility to protect children. “Children are the future of our nation, thus families and communities should play a big part in protecting children. The nation should be able to rely on families in ensuring that children are free from abuse and neglect. The family is the nucleus of society and hence has a vital role to play in the protection especially of their own children.”

CWSA President, Prof Dasarath Chetty says, "Dr Franklin Sonn is invaluable to Child Welfare South Africa. He has shown profound commitment to children by ensuring that he spreads the message to different audiences on behalf of the organisation. CWSA salutes his commitment to advocate the importance of child protection and care in South Africa. His ethical values and the fact that he leads by example, have inspired others and have helped move CWSA's work forward.''

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