The Children’s Commissioner recently briefed the Standing Committee on the Premier (DOP) and Constitutional Matters at the legislature (Children’s Commissioner put through her paces during committee briefing).
Commissioner Christina Nomdo commended the Western Cape departments that she partners with, saying she has enjoyed full co-operation in their work to support the children of the province.
Despite a R73 million budget cut by National Treasury last year, the DOP showcased its commitment to the voices of children by ringfencing the R9.8 million allocated to her office this year. And over the next two financial years, another R20 million has been allocated to the Children’s Commissioner.
In her own words, the provincial government would know if she was unhappy with the efforts of this government to make the voices of children heard. Without the support of the DOP, Ms Nomdo indicated that her office may not have made it through the past year.
We thus welcome the administrative, financial and human resources support that the DOP has offered to the Children’s Commission over the past year making it possible for her office to establish itself – the very first Commissioner for Children in sub-Saharan Africa.
We are excited and welcome the appointment of new staff members and, in particular, the child friendly office that’s currently being set up which will afford children direct access to the commissioner.
With the province being the only one with a Children’s Commissioner, we realise that we are in uncharted waters. We will continue to ensure that the Children’s Commissioner remains a fully independent body which works for the children of this province and sets a benchmark for others to follow.
* MPP Ricardo Mackenzie, DA WC Spokesperson on Premier and Constitutional Matters.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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