Seventeen Million Voiceless Children Raise Questions About Awareness Of Constitutional Rights

Afrika Tikkun Calls For Urgent Action To Teach Children Their Rights As Inequality Deepens

Johannesburg, March 2026 – As South Africa marks Human Rights Day, Afrika Tikkun is calling attention to a critical and often overlooked issue: millions of children across the country remain unaware of their basic human rights.

Despite children and youth making up the largest demographic group in South Africa, they remain among the most marginalised. With no voting power or economic influence, their exclusion is both widespread and largely invisible.

More than 63% of children live in poverty, with many facing malnutrition, abuse, and unsafe living conditions. Access to quality education remains unequal, leaving a significant portion of young people vulnerable and unprotected.

Bridging The Gap Between Rights And Reality

Afrika Tikkun warns that failing to teach children about their rights in practical and accessible ways is worsening an already deep social crisis.

To address this, the organisation integrates human rights education throughout its programmes, from early childhood development to school-going years. The focus is not on theory, but on equipping children with knowledge they can apply in their daily lives.

Marc Lubner, Executive Chairperson and Group CEO of Afrika Tikkun, emphasised the transformative impact of this approach.

“Teaching children about their rights equips them with the tools to advocate for themselves. When a child understands their rights, everything changes. They know they have the right to be safe, to be educated, to be heard, and to shape their own future.”

A Holistic Approach To Youth Development

Afrika Tikkun currently reaches more than 40,000 children daily through five centres across South Africa. Its “cradle-to-career” model supports young people from early development through to education, skills training, and employment pathways.

On the ground, the organisation sees how limited awareness of rights, combined with systemic challenges, is shaping a generation at risk. Younger children are not being taught their rights in meaningful ways, while older youth are increasingly losing faith in a system that has failed to deliver tangible opportunities.

Lubner highlighted a growing disconnect between education and employment.

“One of the most fundamental expectations is that hard work in school leads to opportunity. However, with high unemployment and gaps in the education system, many young people are unprepared for economic participation. Too many are being educated into a dead end.”

He added that South Africa needs to expand pathways into trade-based education and the digital economy to better align learning with real opportunities.

Creating Environments Where Rights Are Lived

Dr Nellie Zembe, Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at Afrika Tikkun, said the organisation’s impact lies in how it embeds human rights into everyday experiences.

“We believe it is not only about what we teach, but what children experience. Our teams model the values of respect, dignity, and accountability, allowing children to see what human rights look like in practice.”

She noted that the organisation’s holistic approach addresses the full spectrum of a child’s needs, contributing to strong attendance and engagement levels.

“When children feel genuinely supported, they show up. Our programmes include life skills, child protection education, and psychosocial support, ensuring that every child understands their rights and feels empowered.”

A Call For Collective Responsibility

While demand for support continues to grow, Afrika Tikkun is urging greater collaboration across government, business, and civil society to invest in the next generation.

The organisation stresses that the issue extends beyond access to services, it is about ensuring that children understand, experience, and can exercise their rights in meaningful ways.

Lubner concluded with a call to action, highlighting the urgency of collective responsibility.

“Before another generation grows up unaware of their rights, South Africa must decide who is responsible for its children and take action to secure their future.”