Pretoria - Its not just any normal school day for the children of Cullinan in Pretoria.
Over 100 youths from a number of in schools in Tshwane have come together in song and dance to mark National Day Against Child Labour.
Deputy labour minister Phathekile Holomisa is due address the crowd highlighting the ongoing problem of child labour and the government's commitment to end the exploitation of children in South Africa.
Joining the fight against child labour are South Africa's unions, with Cosatu leading the charge through the launch of the International Labour Conference as global unions work on ending child labour globally.
Consulate general of the United States of America, Christophen Rowan said in order to end child labour South Africa needed to implement social programmes for school children. “These social programmes will determine the impact and if they help in eliminating child labour.”
Rowan added that the country needs to unite together to end the ongoing crisis of the the exploitation of children in all its various forms.
Sexual exploitation, child trafficking, hazardous work and children used by their parents to commit crimes are some of the risks faced by the country’s youth.
This diamond mining town of Cullinan has been the site of some of the worst child labour abuses, and underage mining has plagued it through its years as a mining town.
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) makes it a criminal offence to employ a child under the age of 15 years or under the minimum school-leaving age.
Labour Bureau