International Children's Day has for many years now been an important date for the COSATU gender department. Every year this day is used to popularise COSATU's childcare campaign. And to remind our employers, government and the broader society that workers are parents too and that they also need time to care for their children. This year the COSATU Western Cape region decided to focus in particular on our children and their rights as stipulated in the Constitution of the country. And to hear from them how they understand these rights. It was also the day before the national elections of 2 June where their parents were once again voting for a government that should protect the rights of children especially.
Real work on the campaign started from 1 May, on May Day, with the boerewors stand to raise funds for the event. The gender committee had to raise its own funds since no money was available from COSATU Head Office. By 1 June we had raised over R16 000. This was from donations from companies, affiliates and a karaoke event.
The actual activities started the week before June 1. The gender committee decided that a series of activities involving children from our communities should serve as a build-up to the main event. This involved visiting children at particular institutions and providing them with entertainment, party packets, clothes, food and small presents. These things were all collected, packed and distributed by the members of the gender committee. On the Friday night COSATU Regional Office had a sweet/party packet production team. The women involved were all very excited and worked till the early hours of the morning to get everything packed and ready for the children.
On Saturday 29 May we visited:
Ebrahim Rasool, chairperson of the ANC in the Western Cape, and Tony Ehrenreich, regional secretary of COSATU, accompanied the delegation. This day was very inspiring. The children were all very excited to see as and to entertain us. They were particularly pleased with the presents and party packets. The workers/staff at these institutions were very appreciative of our efforts. We were also made aware that often the rest of society forgets about our children in these institutions that need special care and attention.
At the end of the very tiring day, we had developed a lot of respect for the workers and staff that care for these children despite the lack of resources and support from the rest of the community. Most of the workers were ANC supporters and members of Nehawu. Also by the end of the day the children were all shouting viva ANC viva COSATU!
On Sunday 30 May we organised a fun day for the street children, 250 children attended the even. They were entertained by performing groups, did face painting and artwork and were addressed by the Mayor of Cape Town, Nomaindia Mfeketho. Clothes were distributed distributed to the organisations that provide shelter for street children.
Lots of effort and stress went into making this day a success. Busses were organised to bring 1500 children from various schools to the City Hall in the center of Cape Town. The Avondale Drum Majorettes from Atlantis, the best in the country, was organised to lead the procession of children around the City Hall. Ebrahim Rasool and Dullah Omar, the then Minister of Justice, marched with the kids. The children were very excited but also very well disciplined as they marched with posters that spoke about Mandela - their patron - about their rights and also about their parents and workers that care for them.
At 10am the concert in the City Hall started and by then the hall was packed with 2500 children. It was really a children's concert with children singing, dancing and acting on the stage. Dullah Omar also spoke about crime against children and why our society must stop it. Television and radio reporters interviewed some children.
By lunchtime the children were all ver hungry and we gave each a meal and party packet. And by 14:30 everything was over, all the children were in their busses to take them back to their schools and homes. We promised them they would see us again as this is not a once-off event. A video of the event is available at cost price.
At our last gender meeting, the committee was able to assess the campaign. We were very pleased that the event went well but very surprised that it was so widely publicised, even on BBC and CNN. We also encountered some problems and tension while carrying out the campaign.
The main lessons that we learnt from this activity are that:
Lastly, the even has demonstrated that the COSATU Gender Committee in the Western Cape is alive and kicking. So watch this space for our August 9th National Women's Day campaign.