Staff Reporter
Free State Social Development MEC Mamiki Qabathe has called for the establishment of more non-profit organisations (NPOs) that focus on emerging problems faced by society today, particularly young people.
She said many children today grow up facing numerous challenges due to family and other circumstances resulting in some of them turning to crime and other social ills.
“We should be agents for change and be able to introduce new NPOs that are relevant to our challenges,” said Qabathe.
The MEC said this during the launch of two books written by two women from the Free State.
The books launched are My Father My Hero My Zero written by Charlotte Lobbe and children’s book Mama’s Little Helper by Charmaine Mrwebi.
The event, which was held at the Charlotte Maxeke Treatment Centre for recovering drug addicts in Botshabelo, was meant to coincide with the close of Women’s Month.
“The Department of Social Development needs all of you . . . Let us have NPOs that are responding to the challenges of young people,” she pointed out.
Qabathe said the two books should be viewed as manuals in life as they can help children and young adults grown into more responsible and knowledgeable people.
“Our children are reaching university without being able to read properly because we are not encouraging them to read,” said the MEC, referring to the children’s book.
She also urged parents to make time for their children and constantly monitor them so they are not influenced by negative elements.
“Our children are being groomed at a very young age into cyber-sexting and we are not there to guide them,” she warned.
Lobe’s book is “a memoir focusing on the relationship between a daughter (herself) and her present but absent father”.
She talks about her emotions growing up without a father after he left the family and only came when he was ill and had to be nursed by her mother.
The mother stood by the father and taught the children to know their place and respect the father despite his shortcomings.