In June, the Manager of the Sanctuary, Belinda Tsuses, was approached by the Namibian Ministry of Gender to host the African Child’s Day Celebration. It was a great success with over 500 children, as well as the Governor of the region, senior social workers from the Omaheke Region and officials from the Ministry of Education in attendance.

The event provided wonderful exposure for the CSN Sanctuary and the Board is hopeful it will lead to increased awareness and support from the government. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the CSN Board Members, the staff and volunteers who worked hard to ensure this was a wonderful, memorable event for all.

The Ministry of Gender paid for the food and snacks for the dignitaries, CSN workers and children. It was a lively celebration which included singing, dancing, and speeches as well as food for all.

Over 500 children attended the celebration!

What is the International Day of the African Child?

This event is held every year on June 16. Its aim is to commemorate the SOWETO children’s uprising of 1976, during which thousands of South African students protested the apartheid government’s use of Afrikaans as their language of instruction in Bantu schools. The uprising resulted in the deaths of hundreds of students and is considered a turning point in the struggle against apartheid.

Today, the Day of the African Child is an opportunity to celebrate the realization of the rights of the African child, in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The purpose is also to raise awareness of the challenges that children face. The theme for 2023 is “The rights of the Child in the Digital Environment”.