Renewed commitment to protecting South Africa's children: National day against child labour
11 August 2025
Potchefstroom, South Africa – The International Labour Organization (ILO) Pretoria Office joined the Department of Employment and Labour and key stakeholders in commemorating the 2025 National Day Against Child Labour, held at Ikageng Stadium in Potchefstroom, North West Province. The event brought together government officials, social partners, civil society organisations, and the public to renew and reinforce commitments to eliminating child labour in South Africa. In attendance were approximately 250 learners from schools around Potchefstroom area.
This year’s commemoration takes place against the backdrop of persistent global and national challenges in the fight against child labour. According to the latest 2024 global estimates report by the ILO and UNICEF, nearly 138 million children – including 59 million girls and 78 million boys – are in child labour globally. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the largest share, with 87 million children in child labour – nearly two-thirds of the global total. Globally, nearly one-third of children in child labour are not attending school.
Department of Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Honourable Jomo Sibiya highlighted This is not just a labour issue. It is a development crisis, a human rights violation, and a national emergency. Child labour perpetuates poverty, reinforces inequality, and steals potential from an entire generation. Communities and faith-based organisations must report incidents of child labour and exploitation.
When we say, Let Me Be a Child, we are saying: let children be in schools, not in fields; let them carry books, not tools; and let them dream of a future and not worry about survival, Deputy Minister Sibiya said.
We heard from our social partners, community, labour and employers, reminding all, of the Durban Call to Action, adopted during the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour hosted by South Africa in 2022. The call outlines strategic actions toward ending child labour by 2025 and forced labour by 2030, in alignment with SDG Target 8.7.
Sindile Moitse, of the ILO Pretoria Office, emphasised:” The fight against child labour requires sustained collaboration among government, social partners, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. The development and implementation of national programmes, including the articulation of the fifth Phase CLPA, illustrate what is possible when all actors work together.”
The students' performance was a remarkable demonstration of their deep understanding of child labour and the essence of childhood. Through their engaging presentations and creative expressions, they vividly illustrated the harsh realities of child labour and the importance of preserving the innocence and rights of every child. Their insightful contributions clearly reflected their awareness and commitment to combating this critical issue."
The ILO’s presence underscored the importance of strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to tackle the root causes of child labour, including poverty, limited access to education, and inadequate social protection. The National Day Against Child Labour served not only as a moment of reflection but as a powerful call for collective action to safeguard every child’s right to learn, grow and thrive in a safe environment, free from exploitation.