Shortly after resigning as chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum, activist Lucinda Evans from Lavender Hill is being nominated as the Western Cape’s first Children’s Commissioner by fellow activists.
Evans, who was part of the CPF for over a decade and runs her own non-governmental organisation (NGO) Philisa Abafazi Bethu in
Lavender Hill, said she resigned as CPF chair to focus more on the Victim Empowerment
Programme to assist people at
grassroots level.
Community activist Latifah Jacobs is spearheading the campaign and says: “She’s fit for the job, not only professionally but because she has the heartbeat for our children.
“Becoming the Children’s Commissioner won’t just be about working with children; it will be about representing the voices of all that’s been silent for too long.
“We have called on government to work with NGOs on the ground.
“What better way than allowing her to sit at the table and bring along her resources from the ground level to where it’s needed,” Jacobs says.
Nominations close on 30
September. The post is for a five-year term.
The Children’s Commissioner is to monitor, investigate, research, educate the public, lobby and advise on matters pertaining to children in the Western Cape.
The Commissioner will also be responsible in assisting government in protecting and promoting the interests of children and report before Provincial Parliament.
Evans said on Wednesday she was at a loss for words when she saw the poster for her campaign, but is willing to accept the challenge.
“I feel very humbled that the community thinks that I could be the Child Commissioner. It is a very big responsibility.”