THE Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund along with the Department of Social Development launched the Save the Children and Hold My Hand campaign under the theme “Safe to Play. Free to Thrive” at its Johannesburg offices on November 1 to mark the commencement of Children’s Month.
Throughout November, the Fund will run activities focused on early childhood development, sport, family support and child protection. The entity has called for safer places for children to play and a greater say for children in decisions that affect them. The Fund and its partners highlighted how violence, neglect and a shortage of safe places to play continue to put children at risk.
Karl Müller, Chief Programmes Officer at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, said protecting children requires more than policy commitments, but demands practical interventions that make a difference in their everyday lives.
“Every child deserves the freedom to play, learn and grow without fear. Yet too many children are carrying burdens that no child should have to bear, from violence and neglect to hunger and unsafe environments. We cannot expect children to thrive if we do not address these challenges,” said Müller.
“Our responsibility is to translate children’s rights into meaningful action, ensuring that every child has access to safe spaces, supportive families and opportunities to reach their full potential,” added Müller – who further emphasised the importance of listening to children, in line with the Fund’s Legacy 2.0: Khuluma Mntwana Sikuzwe strategy, which places children’s voices and participation at the centre of its work.
Isabella Sekawana, Chief Director at the Department of Social Development, highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector to accelerate progress on children’s rights.
“This Children’s Month, we are not simply launching a calendar of activities; we are committing to a new way of working together for children. For too long, the government, civil society and the private sector have worked in isolation,” said Sekawana.
“We must move from commitment to coordination, and from coordination to accelerated action, ensuring that children’s interests are at the centre of every decision, budget and programme,” continued Sekawana – who also highlighted the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children, approved by Cabinet in December 2025, as an important framework for addressing fragmented responses to challenges affecting children.
The strategy promotes a whole-of-society approach, recognising that protecting children and supporting their development requires coordinated action across government departments, communities, families, businesses and civil society organisations.
As Children’s Month unfolds, the Fund is calling on government, businesses, civil society organisations, parents and communities to move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps towards ensuring that every child is safe, heard and free to thrive.
About the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) is a development and advocacy agency founded by former president Nelson Mandela in 1995.
In line with its vision to change the way society treats its Children and Youth, the Fund’s mission is to give voice and dignity to the African child by building a rights-based movement.
The organisation’s strategic focus areas include child health, which is addressed by Child Safety and Protection, Child Survival, Development and Thriving, Sustainable Livelihoods, Youth Leadership, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg.
Image supplied (Isabella Sekawana, Chief Director at the Department of Social Development.)
