Centre for Child Law

The Centre contributes towards establishing & promoting the best interests of children through litigation, advocacy & research. Retweets are not endorsements.

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

Today, we proudly launch the Centre for Child Law's 2025 Annual Report.

This report reflects a year of unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing children's rights through strategic litigation, research, advocacy, community lawyering, and public education. From landmark constitutional cases to strengthening access to birth registration, education, environmental justice, child justice, equality, etc, our work has remained firmly grounded in one principle: every child deserves dignity, justice, and the opportunity to thrive.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our remarkable team, the trust of the children, families, and communities we serve, and the invaluable support of our partners, counsel, donor funders, and friends who continue to stand with us in advancing children's rights. Together, we are creating lasting legal and social change for children across South Africa and beyond.

We invite you to read our 2025 Annual Report below:

https://t.co/izhFvNcPYK

(Available on our webstite)

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

Our Director, Ms Ozah, recently spoke to Newzroom Afrika on a high-profile case, highlighting key issues around child protection, grooming, coercion and sexual exploitation.

Watch full interview:

https://t.co/gbCqTIvYkx

Source: Newzroom Afrika

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

[RECAP]
Congratulations to the University of the Western Cape on an outstanding victory as the winners of the 15th Annual Child Law Moot Court Competition 2026! 🏆

Congratulations also to the University of Johannesburg (2nd) 🥈 and the University of the Witwatersrand (3rd) 🥉.

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

One day to go! 😁

We are delighted to welcome 16 participating universities as aspiring legal practitioners engage in meaningful legal arguments, sharpen their advocacy skills, and deepen their understanding of child law.

We look forward to an exceptional moot court experience!

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

One day to go! 😁

We are delighted to welcome 16 participating universities as aspiring legal practitioners engage in meaningful legal arguments, sharpen their advocacy skills, and deepen their understanding of child law.

We look forward to an exceptional moot court experience!

[UNICEF South Africa @UNICEF_SA]

UNICEF South Africa is recruiting a Child Protection Manager

Lead child protection programmes and help strengthen systems that protect vulnerable children and adolescents from harm.

Apply here: 🔗 https://t.co/oXatuFd2j2

#UNICEF #ChildProtection #ChildRights #UNICEFCareers

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

[Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity]📚🌍⚖️

On International Literacy Day, the Right to Read Campaign joins the global community in recognising literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for the enjoyment of many other rights 📚🌍⚖️

[Right to Read @RightToRead_]

Today, on International Literacy Day, we join the global community in recognising literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for the enjoyment of many other rights.

@SAHRCommission @SECTION27news @equal_education @equal_education @UPChildLaw

#RightToRead #Literacy

[Roné McFarlane @Rownsterr]

A reminder that schools and education departments cannot turn undocumented learners away from school or writing matric exams. The
@UPChildLaw
has a helpful guide on this available here:
https://t.co/CCaePA2b4B

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

Today, the CCL will appear before the Constitutional Court, as Amicus Curiae (friend of the Court) in AAS obo CMMS v MEC for Health, Gauteng.

Read the full statement below:

[Constitutional Court @ConCourtSA]

(1/4) Hearing on Thursday, 20 August 2026 at 10h00: Is subjective awareness of pain sine qua non (an essential condition) for an award of general damages for pain and suffering in our common law?

[Southern African Nationality Network (SANN) @NetworkSouthern]

“Statelessness means not being able to…”

Behind every conversation about nationality and #statelessness are real people, and everyday things that many of us take for granted.

Sometimes the best way to understand statelessness is simply to listen. 💙

@LHR_SA @scalabrini

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

Today, the CCL will appear before the Supreme Court of Appeal as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the appeal concerning the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy’s decision to procure 1 500 MW of additional coal-fired energy.

Read the full statement below:

[UP Law @UPLawFaculty]

#UPWomenInLaw | Congratulations to Professor Ann Skelton on being awarded the title of Emeritus Professor.

A well-deserved recognition of her remarkable academic career and contribution to advancing children’s rights in South Africa and globally. #UPLaw

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

[RADIO INTERVIEW]

On 23 July, our Director, Ms. Ozah, joined The Daily Discourse on SAfm, hosted by Joanne Joseph, for an insightful discussion on parental alienation, contact disputes, and children's rights under the Children's Act.

Parental alienation and contact disputes remain among the most complex and emotionally challenging issues in family law. A key message from the discussion is that contact with a parent is the child's right, not a privilege that one parent may grant or withhold.

Disputes over maintenance, infidelity, or the breakdown of a relationship are not lawful reasons to deny a child a meaningful relationship with the other parent. The law treats maintenance and contact as separate issues because children should never become bargaining chips in adult disputes. The guiding principle in every matter concerning a child is their best interests.

🎧 Listen to the full discussion below using the link:

https://t.co/Ak8ghVNPJt

#TheDailyDiscourse

Source: SAfmRadio

[SAfmRadio 📻 @SAfmRadio]

[ON AIR] Director of the Centre For Child Law, Karabo Oza speaks to @JoanneGJoseph about what the law says about parental alienation on #TheDailyDiscourse

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

[PRESS STATEMENT]

Read our latest press statement on the important High Court case of F v F, where the CCL argues that a divorce decree should not be granted while issues relating to a child's care, contact, and maintenance remain unresolved.

Read the full press statement below:

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📢 🔴 Has your SA ID been blocked?

The DHA has called on individuals whose identity documents have been blocked to submit representations before 10 July 2026.

Deadline: 10 July 2026

More information here:
https://t.co/lgwHZfCH7T

[Centre for Child Law @UPChildLaw]

[Conference Recap]

From 24–26 June 2026, the Centre for Child Law participated in the 4th Annual African National Preventive Mechanisms Network (ANPMN) Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

This year's conference, held under the theme "Women and Children in Detention: Gender-responsive and Child-sensitive NPM Approaches," brought together experts and stakeholders from across the continent and the UN to advance the protection of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

The Centre was represented by Mrs Hansungule-Nefale, Adv. Courtenay, and Mr Mongwai. Mrs. Hansungule-Nefale and Mr. Mongwai served as panelists during Session 3: "Children in Detention: A Child-sensitive Preventive Monitoring," where they presented on "A Model for Independent Oversight of Secure Care Centers."

Their presentation highlighted the importance of independent oversight mechanisms in ensuring that secure care centres uphold the rights, dignity, and best interests of children. It also underscored the importance of meaningful child participation in understanding what justice means from children's own perspectives and what they envision justice should look like, particularly for children in conflict with the law. By centring children's voices and lived experiences, the discussion reinforced the need for child-sensitive monitoring and justice systems that are responsive to the realities and aspirations of the children they serve.

We are grateful to the organisers and fellow participants for the insightful discussions and collaborative exchanges as we continue working towards strengthening the protection of the rights of children in detention across Africa. We further extend our gratitude to the South African Human Rights Commission - National Preventive Mechanism for their continuous collaboration and support.

The reports are available here:

1. https://t.co/c7vMMvqIOV
2. https://t.co/5TmdV7YwE2

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📢 🚨NO ONE SHOULD FACE VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY COME FROM🚨

If you or someone you know has been affected by violence, threats, detention, or needs humanitarian, legal assistance, support is available through the Hotline.

📞 Toll Free 0800 079 614
📱 WhatsApp [phone]

[CoRMSA @CoRMSA]

CoRMSA REJECTS THE 30 JUNE SHUTDOWN!

We call for:

✔ The President and the Government to publicly reject the planned 30 June 2026 shutdown
✔ Increased and visible policing across the country to protect all communities.

@PresidencyZA @SAPoliceService @p