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Birth registration helps fight child trafficking

Source: African News Agency, 01/09/2016

Limpopo - Proper birth registration has been identified as a major
tool in the fight to prevent child trafficking and other social ills
that include child labour, illegal adoption and sexual
exploitation.

Limpopo MEC of health DR Phophi Ramathuba made these remarks on
Wednesday during her visit to Seshego Hospital, where she witnessed
the birth registration process and the immediate issuing of birth
certificates.

"Early birth registration provides reliable and timely information and
data to other agencies such as health, education, social services,
electoral services and research institutions," said Ramathuba.

"The basic purpose of birth registration, which is facilitated by the
Department of Home Affairs is to disclose facts, veracity,
legality.

"Individuals can be assured of the legitimacy and authenticity of
civil status through public registration documents known as birth
certificates."

The efficiency at Seshego Hospital in registering births and issuing
of birth certificates has been noted by Brand South Africa, which is
currently highlighting outstanding enterprises, departments and
organisations as part of its mandate to promote the image of the
country.

Although the law prescribes that the birth certificate must be
obtained within 30 days, the MEC said the hospital and home affairs
were so efficient they did it "on the spot".

"It`s free and a certificate is available on the spot. Such guarantees
access to various government services," said Ramathuba.

"Fees are applicable in the case of late registration of birth. A
scale of penalty fee is established in relation to the length of
delay, age of person. The penalty fee is yet to be approved."

However, the MEC said in some instances they faced challenges when
attempting immediate birth registrations which included cases where
children had been separated from or had lost their parents, religious,
cultural beliefs and practices on the naming of the child.

Home births and children born to non SA citizens that were in the
country illegally and inaccessibility of remote border areas and
informal settlements posed further issues.

The Department of Home Affairs` Chief Director for Births, Marriages
and Deaths, Dr Aaron Ramodumo, said that without birth registration
and documentation, children may have problems proving their existence
to the State.

"It is through our footprint extension into health facilities that we
can achieve 100% birth registration within the prescribed 30 days … It
is a constitutional right of every child to a have a name and
nationality from birth," said Ramodumo.

Manusha Pillai, the general manager of communications at Brand South
Africa, said early registration of birth was a key programme to ensure
proper planning to meet the needs of people.

"It is critical that the national population register has integrity
and is secure. Early registration of birth is therefore a key
programme to contribute to the development of the South African Nation
Brand," said Pillai, whose organisation is charged with enhancing
South Africa`s reputation at home and abroad.

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