In response to the growing concern around teenage pregnancy in the province, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development today hosted a seminar for government and civil society stakeholders to engage on the research findings relating to the drivers of teenage pregnancy in the Sarah Baartman District, with a particular focus on Ndlambe Municipality.

The session, held in Port Alfred, was led by Pretty Mali-Ndyebi from the Provincial Population Policy Promotion Unit, who shared evidence-based insights drawn from a recent research study conducted across the province.

The findings painted a complex and deeply concerning picture one that calls for urgent, multi-sectoral collaboration.

According to provincial data, the Eastern Cape has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in South Africa, with thousands of girls between the ages of 10 and 19 giving birth each year. The 2023 District Health Barometer reported that nearly 18% of all deliveries in the province were by teenage mothers, a figure that remains unacceptably high.

In the Sarah Baartman District, the situation mirrors the provincial average, with social and economic vulnerabilities amplifying the risks for adolescent girls, especially in rural and peri-urban communities.

A robust panel of stakeholders unpacked the findings and discussed how the issue manifests in local communities. The panel included:

• Sgt Tele – SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit

• Ms Mapuma – Department of Health

• Ms Mjekula – Department of Education

• Mr Sbusiso Fatyi – South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

• Mrs Ntsiki Njadayi-Kepe – Sarah Baartman District Department of Social Development

• Facilitator: Ms Chris Engelbrecht – Sarah Baartman DSD

The discussion highlighted the interconnected challenges contributing to teenage pregnancy, such as: Statutory rape and incest, Gender-based violence (GBV), People trafficking, Substance abuse, Cyberbullying, Poverty and food insecurity, Lack of parental guidance and broken family structures

It became clear that teenage pregnancy is not just a health issue it's a social crisis that reflects deep systemic gaps in protection, access, education, and community cohesion.

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has implemented several targeted interventions, including:

• Family Strengthening Programmes : To build resilience within family units and promote positive parenting, particularly positive fatherhood.

• Community Dialogues and Awareness Campaigns: Addressing myths, stigma, and harmful norms surrounding adolescent sexuality and GBV.

• Youth Empowerment Initiatives: Providing information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

• School-Based Programmes: In partnership with the Department of Education to prevent early sexual debut and keep girls in school.

• Victim Empowerment Programmes : Supporting victims of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking with safe spaces and counselling.

A key outcome of the seminar was the urgent need to place the adolescent girl at the centre of the solution. The message was clear: empower her with knowledge, services, choices, and supportand she can change her future.

To effectively combat teenage pregnancy, all stakeholders must collaborate to address the root causes not just the symptoms. This includes investing in education, social protection, mental health, and youth leadership, while holding perpetrators accountable and creating safe environments where girls can thrive.

As the Department of Social Development continues to champion integrated approaches to youth and adolescent development.

• Eastern Cape MEC for social development, Bukiwe Fanta, led an outreach engagement with the residents of Guava Juice, informing them of the assorted services the department can provide.

• The outreach is about fostering a sense of community and ensuring that everyone, particularly the most vulnerable, has knowledge of and access to essential support.

• MEC Fanta told the community that “we are here to listen to your concerns and work together to find solutions that uplift our community”.

Enhancing community welfare in Guava Juice in the Koukamma local municipality, Eastern Cape MEC for social development, Bukiwe Fanta, has conducted an integrated community outreach programme in Ward 5.

The initiative, on 23 May 2025, aimed to provide residents with access to essential social services, resources, and information on various developmental programmes.

The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development’s outreach initiative is designed to ensure that vulnerable communities receive the support they need, including services related to child protection, youth development, and support for the elderly.

During her visit, MEC Fanta engaged with residents, emphasising the importance of community involvement in addressing social issues and improving living conditions.

“Today’s outreach is about more than just providing services; it’s about fostering a sense of community and ensuring that everyone knows the resources available to them,” Fanta stated. “We are here to listen to your concerns and work together to find solutions that uplift our community.”

The outreach engagement featured various activities, including health screenings, educational workshops, and information stalls where residents could learn about available social welfare programmes.

Local non-governmental and community organisations also took part, offering additional resources and support services tailored to the needs of the community.

As Child Protection Month draws to a close at the end of May, a key focus of the outreach initiative was to raise awareness about child protection issues and the importance of safeguarding the rights of children.

MEC Fanta highlighted the need for community vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable members of society. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children grow up in safe and nurturing environments,” she said.

Residents expressed gratitude for the visit and the services provided. “This initiative is crucial for our community. Many of us are unaware of the resources available, and having the MEC here to guide us is invaluable,” said local community leader, Candy Mntambo.

The outreach initiative in Guava Juice is part of a broader strategy by the Department of Social Development to enhance service delivery and ensure that all community members have access to essential support.

MEC Fanta concluded her visit by encouraging residents to actively participate in community development initiatives and to seek assistance whenever needed.

• The launch of the Eastern Cape’s Child Protection Month campaign was used to draw attention to the specific needs of children with disabilities, particularly those with autism.

• “Children with autism need extra care and protection as they are more vulnerable,” said one of the parents, Sharon Ndzuzo.

• Launching Child Protection Month, the Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta emphasised that it was a collective mission to make sure each child grew up in a safe and loving environment.

In a significant move to strengthen the safety and well-being of all children across the province, the Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development Bukiwe Fanta launched Child Protection Month today, 15 May 2025, at a significant venue. The launch, which aims to raise awareness about children’s rights and the importance of protecting them from abuse and neglect, took place at the Aurora Special Care and Stimulation Centre in Gqeberha.

The centre, which caters for adults and children with disabilities, including autism, was chosen to promote acceptance, inclusion, and support for people with autism, while also increasing public understanding of autism spectrum disorder. The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development provides funding for 860 children with autism, 250 in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. “Children with autism need extra care and protection as they are more vulnerable,” said one of the parents, Sharon Ndzuzo.

She pointed out the importance of understanding autism, as some children cannot express themselves even when they are violated. “We call on the government to roll out more programmes that will empower communities to understand autism,” she added. In addition to the children with disabilities, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development funds 26 registered non-profit organisations focusing on children and also operates child and youth care centres, providing residential care programmes to children in need.

During her address, MEC Fanta emphasised the critical need for communities to come together to safeguard the welfare of children. “Child Protection Month serves as a reminder for us to prioritise the rights and needs of our youngest citizens.” “As a society, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our children are safe and protected from harm,” she stated.

Child Protection Month is part of the broader 365 Days Child Protection Programme of Action. The month is used to educate and raise awareness about the rights of children, as well as to highlight the social ills that negatively impact their well-being. The department has seen an alarming rise in reported cases of violence against children in the province, with just under 3 000 cases reported in the financial year ending 31 March 2025. At the start of the national Child Protection Month campaign, Minister Sisisi Tolashe revealed worrying statistics of child abuse.

Some 26 852 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in the 2024/25 financial year, with 9 859 sexual abuse cases reported across the country. Deliberate neglect is the second most prevalent in all provinces, with 9 485 cases, followed by physical abuse, with 3 965 recorded cases. In addition, there were 595 cases of abandonment. Children experience various forms of abuse at school, home and on digital platforms, and the province was in the news recently for several incidents of violence against children.

As the custodian of children, the department implements various programmes that are aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. “As we gather here today, let us remember that every child deserves a childhood free from fear, pain, and suffering. Our collective mission is to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe and loving environment, where they can thrive and reach their full potential,” MEC Fanta said.

As part of the province’s Child Protection Month campaign, the Department of Social Development will collaborate with schools, community organisations, and law enforcement to provide resources and support for families. The MEC also encouraged individuals to report any suspected cases of abuse or neglect, stressing that early intervention is crucial in protecting children.Also attending the launch at the Aurora centre were local community leaders, educators, and child advocates, all united in the mission to promote child welfare.

The National Department of Social Development conducted an oversight visit to some schools in Amathole District that are beneficiaries of the Sanitary Dignity Programme.

The visits started at Byletts High school in Mooiplaas in Great Kei Municipality on Monday and Richard Msutu School in Adelaide in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality.

The main aim of the oversight visit across the country is to evaluate the impact and the implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Programme in Quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools through its framework that aims to ensure indigent girls and women have access to these packs during their menstrual cycles - in a safe and dignified manner. The programme particularly focuses on enabling female learners to attend school without interruptions.

The initiative is funded through an equitable share budget that was formalized in 2019 and is spearheaded by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Social Development.

In the Eastern Cape, the Department of Social Development has started with the distribution process and about 129 000 Sanitary Dignity packs will be distributed across the eight districts. Each girl-child will receive a year supply.