Anathi, aged 10, was admitted to Kids Haven just ahead of lockdown, being placed at Kids Haven through Child Welfare, after she ran away from home. She left home due to physical abuse by her mother and being expected to do all the household chores to care for her younger brothers aged 5 and 6. She was attending her local school and was in Grade 5 at the time of her removal.

In a recent discussion with her social worker, Anathi revealed that she had been sexually assaulted by a cousin while living with her paternal grandmother. She did tell her mother about the alleged rape but nothing was done. 

She moved to live with her mother when she started school. Her mother has had two boyfriends in the past three years, both have been violent with her mother and Anathi has witnessed this domestic abuse.

Anathi is happy to be at Kids Haven and talks about a teacher who cared for her but not her mother. Most recently, her social worker spoke to her mother who continues to deny claims of abuse. In an effort to restore relationships, Anathi spoke with her mother on a monitored phone call under the care of her social worker. The mother was still denying any abuse and claims the neighbour made up stories. Further investigation is required but Anathi remains at Kids Haven. Anathi says she loves her mother but does not want to return home.

Her counselling continues and she has been included in at least 2 hours of daily school activities since her arrival after the Bridging School programme was suspended due to Covid-19 isolation of the children. She is also attending twice-weekly life-skills programs at the Village. 

It is thanks to support from StreetSmart SA that Anathi has been able to find a happy home where she has been safe, well cared for and supported through regular contact with her social worker, and to have the courage to share stories of her abuse as the starting point of healing.

 ooOoo

 Book Here: www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1506533457

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping vulnerable children rebuild their lives, welcomes Zaid Adams, a seasoned professional with over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, as its new chairman.

Adams who has served as a StreetSmart director since January 2019 after supporting the organization for a number of years in various hospitality roles, takes over the baton from Melanie Burke, a StreetSmart founding member who served as chairman for the past six years. Burke will continue to play a vital role as vice-chairman going forward.

 A dynamic self-starter who leads from the front with vast experience as a food, beverage and hospitality professional has the inside track to lead StreetSmart into the future. Adams has held senior positions with some of the country's leading hospitality brands including Sun International and Taj Hotels. He also has extensive international hospitality experience having worked in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa. He has served on the board of FEDHASA and is a member of the Chaine de Rotisseurs since 2007. 

Read more: Seasoned hospitality professional takes the helm at StreetSmart SA

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to changing children’s lives by supporting intervention programmes through donations from hospitality venues in the Western Cape, Garden Route and Gauteng, is working with Millicent Biljohn, a Mrs South Africa 2021 semi-finalist in Oudtshoorn.

Millicent says “The Mrs SA Pageant and Female Empowerment programme for married women is a platform for service and contribution across our country and I am excited to work with StreetSmart in Oudtshoorn.”

Millicent is a proud wife and mother and hopes to bring her passion for helping women and children together in this project. She is planning a series of fundraising activities and volunteering with local children's projects.

Read more: Mrs SA semi-finalist supports StreetSmart to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Oudtshoorn

StreetSmart SA has launched their CHILDREN's BOOKS COLLECTION campaign for #WorldBookDay which takes place on 23 April 2021. We are asking for your support by donating your old children’s books.

All books collected during this time will be sorted and distributed nationally to our StreetSmart beneficiaries.

Every book read is a step towards building a road to knowledge and success. And with that sentiment, StreetSmart appeals to you to donate as many children’s books as possible so that the lives of youth can be enriched with the knowledge and joy found within the pages of these books.

You can deliver your children’s books on 23 April, between 09:00 - 16:00 at the StreetSmart office at Salesians Institute, 2 Somerset Road, Green Point, Cape Town. For more details, contact Chad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ooOoo

We started working with the “M” family during July 2019. The biological mother was dependent on alcohol and struggling to keep her job and taking care of her family. The deteriorating situation at home resulted in the three children seeking refuge outside of their home – not attending school regularly, spending time on the streets and socializing with peers involved in petty crimes and possible gang ties. The older two children showed behavioural problems at school as a way of acting out.

The children at first only reached out to the social worker at Linomtha House as another place where they could spend time rather than be at home. Later as a trust relationship was established, the true situation came to light and the family was introduced onto the programme.

Read more: NorSA reunites the "M" family