outh African Family Advocates will now meet annually to shareexperience and expertise on theirwork. This decision came about at the inaugural Family Advocate Conference, on 22 to 24 January, themed "The Dawn of the Children's Act". About 190 Family Advocates attended the conference.
The conference aimed to build upon the Public Sector's servicedelivery pledge, which is in theBatho Pele principles. This con ference will define essential and actual questions to debate new ideas about what should be done to inform future policies in the field of Family Law and Practice. Futureconferences will further give fulleffect to the Constitutional Rights of children.
Seabi said "This is the first of its kind. We hope to do it annually. We decided to bring professionals inthis industry to discuss issues suchas the Children's Act."
Principal Family Advocate Brenda Makganyoha, programme directorof the second day of theconference.
good work. It takes more than a qualification to do what you are doing. You were not appointed by chance.
Your appointment gives you the opportunity to plough back to thecommunity." She explained that the Department is doing a lot of excellent work which can be showcased to the world. "I encourage you tolove your jobs, as this will makeyou go further."
Mrs Shabalala motivated everyoneto follow Mahatma Gandhi's words,"Be the change you want to see inthe world."
The Office of the Family Advocate assists people to reach agreements on disputed issues such as childcustody, access and guardianship. These services are rendered to the public for free. The Department has prioritised the capacitating and training of FamilyAdvocates.
Upon application by the parties, the Family Advocate institutes an inquiry during which the Family Advocate, assisted by a family counselor (normally a trainedsocial worker), interviews the parties to ascertain theirpersonal circumstance and the background details totheir matter. The Family Advocate then interviews the child to allow them the opportunity to be heard.
This prevents the child from having to appear in court. The Department has prioritised the capacitating andtraining of Family Advocates. A total of 25 offices, nationally are now in operation to increase accessibility toservices of Family Advocates. The Department noted that in family matters the argumentative methods ofresolving disputes promote hostility in the familystructure. These impact on children phycologically, especially in the termination of a marriage.
To address this, mediation services and restorative justice programmes are being promoted to strengthensocial cohesion with emphasis on building family unity in the fight against crime. The Family Advocate has succeeded in extending services to all the Lower- andHigh Courts in the country as well as the provision ofmobile periodical services in rural areas.