Don’t hide abuse, victims told

By Masilo Malakwane

QWAQWA –Local educator, Topsi Rampone, says an evidence-based understanding of family life challenges is that many were forced to hide their abusive past while growing up and that in most cases it always comes out every time they react.

Rampone, who is also Sadtu provincial member responsible for sports, culture and recreation, says this is despite the fact that families play a critical role in the  socialisation, development and education of children and youth.

She was delivering a keynote address to men and women in the social development sector in Thabo Mofutsanyana district, at Leratong Children’s Home in Phuthaditjhaba last week Friday in observance of International Day of Families and recognition of the role families play in the lives of individuals, communities, and societies they live in.

She pointed out that changes in family life discipline should be regarded as a dynamic forms of  adaptation in  changing  social  and economic  conditions.

“Nowadays we have a huge problem of child discipline because of how our kids were raised and sometimes it’s not intentional because some parents spend most of their times at work, whilst our children resort to social media and TV for guidance. That’s a huge challenge we currently facing.”

According to social worker program coordinator, Rose Taole, the theme for this year is ‘Families and Urbanization’ and it aims to raise awareness on the necessity of family-friendly urban policies.

“One of the most important emerging trends impacting our society lately is the custody cases; we, however, try to mediate in the family feuds to ensure the well-being of families throughout the urbanization,” said Taole.  

Mantja Maduna, who works as a cleaner at Bethlehem social development offices, was among those who attended this program.

She said it helps reinvigorate  family bonds. “It inspired me to  go and improve my family living conditions and social progress by engaging my children on issues that affect them,” said Maduna

At the same occasion, the manager of  Phuthaditjhaba Child Welfare, Pulane Koalane said the huge challenge they are currently facing in Phuthaditjhaba area is child negligence, whereby most teenage mothers leave their children without adult supervision, especially during weekends.

“Our primary goal is to form a streets committee involving police so that we can be able to prevent this new trend because getting the mothers arrested is not a solution,” said Koalane.  

The International Day of Families is observed every year on 15 May to reflect the importance that the international community attaches to families.