The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund's perspective: status of the child in South Africa

This report was produced with data obtained from two main sources: a desktop review and a qualitative survey. The former entailed a comprehensive review of legislative, policy and research documents relating to children, orphans and vulnerable children, and families. With a focus on the following thematic areas: wellbeing, safety and protection, leadership and excellence, and participation, the review considered issues relating to coverage, access and measures to address inequities brought by gender, age, class, residence and family structure of children and youth. National data sets were re-analysed to depict the status of children in terms of demographic characteristics, family environment, early childhood development and care, safety and protection and participation. The overall aim of the latter was to assess current practices and realities on the ground. The survey was undertaken in urban and rural areas in the following five provinces: Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Qualitative data was collected from three sources: key informant interviews with various partners of the NMCF and focus group discussions with selected strata of community members (Main Report); and children and youth consultations with children who participated in the programmes of NMCF partner organisations.