Cape Town - All 59 candidates that have been shortlisted for the Western Cape Commissioner for Children have officially been released for the public to comment on.
There have been growing calls for a children's commissioner over recent years given the high number of child deaths within the province.
Back in August, statistics released by the provincial government made for a horrific reading with the news that 989 children were murdered in the last five years.
The number equals approximately four children being murdered in the province every week.
According to an analysis of child murders in the province presented by the Department of Social Development, between April 1, 2013 and March 31 last year, more than 781 children between the ages of 13 and 17 were killed, as were 76 between the ages of six and 12 and 128 between the ages of 0 and five.
Earlier this year, the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital revealed that over the past 25 years the hospital has seen an increase in the numbers and severity of child abuse and neglect cases at the facility.
During the first five months of 2019 alone, over 270 children seen at the hospital have been victims of child abuse, neglect or violence against children
From today the public can have their say on the candidates for commissioner who will have the power to monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby as well as advise and report on matters pertaining to children in the province.
Among those shortlisted for the position are:
All 59 candidates that have been shortlisted for the Western Cape Commissioner for Children have officially been released for the public to comment on.
The nominations are as follows:
1. Adv Africa, Lizelle
2. Ms Albertyn, Samantha Zinzy
3. Dr Alexander, Naqita
4. Mr Amod, Mohamed
5. Dr Atmore, Eric
6. Ms Bailey, Debra
7. Ms Bosman, Sadie Hester
8. Mr Bolman, Andre
9. Ms Bower, Carol
10. Ms Campbell, Adele Noreen
11. Ms Evans, Lucinda Collette
12. Ms Garnie, Sharmiela
13. Adv Gaum, Mirinda
14. Ms Hanekom, Wouda Janene
15. Ms Hartnick, Jennifer Lorraine
16. Mr Honiball, James Edward
17. Mr Jacobs, Aubrey Josias
18. Dr Kabanyane, Sidima
19. Ms Kram, Yondi-lee Cameron
20. Adv Lakay, Shameema
21. Ms Lange, Joy
22. Dr Le Roux, Marlene
23. Ms Lestrade, Ingrid Elizabeth
24. Ms Losper, Avril
25. Ms Maharaj, Nalini
26. Dr Malapane, Sipho Pienaar
27. Ms Mamputa, Brenda
28. Ms Maselomie, Jason
29. Ms Matthews, Tasneem
30. Ms McKellar, Gabriela
31. Dr Meltz, Adrienne
32. Adv Menon, Denise Annaleah
33. Ms Mohamed, Zakira
34. Ms Moko, Lorraine
35. Prof Muntingh, Lukas
36. Ms Ndibi, Zizipho
37. Dr Nkosi, Mfundo
38. Ms Nomdo, Christina
39. Mr Ntaka, Lungile
40. Ms Ntshangase, Prudence Hlengiwe
41. Ms O'Shea, Ruschda
42. Ms Olivier, Christelle Alida
43. Ms Philander, Rochelle
44. Ms Plaatijies, Lydia
45. Mr Qodashe, Andile
46. Mr Rhode, lmran
47. Ms Roberts, Sarah Helena
48. Mr Ruiters, Curlen John
49. Mr Samuels, Alec Jerome
50. Mr Son, Grant
51. Mr Songo, Phumzile Hurbert
52. Mr Thango, Mfundo Wiseman
53. Mr Thesen, Edwin
54. Ms Thorne, Melanie
55. Mr Titus, Randall Ralph
56. Ms Van der Heyden, Joy
57. Ms Waxa, Thembakazi
58. Ms West, Lindsay Judy
59. Ms Wildschutt, Zureena
Objections can be emailed to [email protected] or: delivered to N Jamce, The Secretary - Western Cape Provincial Parliament, 4th Floor, Provincial Legislature Building, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, 8001.
They can also be posted to The Secretary - Western Cape Provincial Parliament, attention Ms Jamce, PO Box 648, Cape Town, 8000.