MTHATHA- The Department of Employment and Labour together with various other government departments is set to reaffirm its national commitment to eliminate child labour in South Africa during the 2026 National Day Against Child Labour (NDACL).
The three day event is scheduled to be hosted in Mthatha from 15-17 September 2026.
The NDACL initiative aims to bring together social partners and key stakeholders to strengthen awareness of national policies and legal frameworks on child labour, exchange ideas and promote collective action towards its prevention and elimination.
According to the Department, the event will highlight the importance of awareness, enforcement, education and collaboration.
“This event will be highlighting the importance of awareness, enforcement, education and collaboration in protecting children from child labour and promoting their rights and well-being as children of South Africa,” the statement reads.
The theme for this year, ‘Let me be a child’ emphasises working together to ensure that every child is free to learn, grow and simply exist as a child.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, dignity and future prospects, while harming their physical and mental well-being.
Its worst forms include children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards or left to fend for themselves on the streets.
The ILO notes, however, that not all work performed by children should be classified as child labour.
Work carried out by children above the minimum age for employment that does not affect their health, personal development or schooling is generally regarded as positive.
courtesy of IMAGE: Supplied
By: Amahle July
15 September 2026
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