South Africa

MPUMALANGA, South Africa - Located in Nkomazi district outside Nelspruit, Sophungane School is a sanctuary of learning for 1332 learners from Grade R right through to Grade 12.  The visiting UNICEF team receive a warm welcome as the school choir sings “Sanbonani” meaning “hello” in Zulu, the most-spoken language in South Africa. In this community…

LEKAZI, South Africa: “Our future depends on the education we get,” proclaims seven-year-old Shanell Nkosi as she explains the positive impact of a UNICEF-supported programme on her learning experience. The testimony of Shanell is impetus for UNICEF’s active promotion of the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) programme in hundreds…

From lifesaving medicines to early childhood development, the money you donate will help to protect children and adolescents from disease, abuse and other challenges that society’s most vulnerable too often face. Thank you for being a force of change by supporting our work! sisters, Why choose UNICEF?, UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and relies on donations like yours to fund our vital work. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than any other organisation. In doing so we continue to work towards a world in which all children are safe, educated and healthy. We get things done.…, Fundraise in your community, We receive donations in creative and inspiring ways. From school cake sales to birthday celebrations, payroll donations in the workplace, to simply inviting your friends via social media to become donors. Every contribution is valued and we are grateful to the many fundraising volunteers whose efforts ensure that our work never stops. Need help…, Want to find out more? , See our frequently asked questions, How our donors are creating better outcomes for children, Frequently asked questions, Where does UNICEF get its funding?, UNICEF’s work is funded entirely through the voluntary support of millions of people around the world and our partners in government, civil society and the private sector. UNICEF does not receive any funding from the UN. For detailed information, go to the latest  UNICEF South Africa Annual Reports Annual Report., How do I know that my money won't end up in the wrong hands?, UNICEF has a tested system of checks and balances to ensure the proper use of funds, including regular internal and external audits. Members of our staff conduct regular field visits to monitor spending and progress of the projects that we fund. We also make payments to funded projects in instalments to enable us to assess the impact of previous…, How do I know a fundraiser is genuinely raising money for UNICEF?, If you have been approached by a person claiming to be raising funds for UNICEF and you think they might not be a genuine fundraiser, please contact South Africa’s fundraising team at SAF-friendsofunicef@unicef.org or WhatsApp us on +27 73 156 2648 with information on who approached you as well as where and when this took place., Where does UNICEF work in South Africa?, Our operations are nationwide. Working with partners in government, the corporate sector and civil society, UNICEF’s work in education, health and child protection reaches communities across the nine provinces of South Africa.

With South Africa in a period of lockdown, it is critical that the needs of children are not forgotten. Working with the organisation, Heartlines, UNICEF has produced four short (twenty-seconds each) radio Public Service Announcements (PSA) which are currently being aired on radio stations throughout South Africa. The PSA's are available in…, Handwashing, Little hands matter - Support UNICEF to build handwashing stations informal settlements Soundcloud:  English / isiZulu 20 Seconds can stop the spread -  Handwashing is necessary and life-saving Soundcloud:  English  / isiZulu Geza izandla rap with UNICEF - by Mogotsi Z Lus -  20 seconds is all you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and…, Child protection, Protecting children -  Be sure to be vigilant and report child abuse Soundcloud:  English  / isiZulu Safeguarding children online - Be aware of your child’s online and mobile behaviour Soundcloud:  English  / isiZulu, Interviews, UNICEF volunteer conducts community radio interview on #Love2Learn in isiZulu -  UNICEF’s successful TikTok campaign included an interview in isiZulu with a volunteer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nelisiwe Mbuyazi, on a youth community radio station, Intokozo FM based in Umlazi south of Durban. Here she is speaking to Mcino Shezi on Friday,…, Learn more about Coronavirus

The challenge, A third of girls in South Africa experience some form of violence, often from someone they know. Violence against children remains a critical challenge facing South African society today, despite tremendous efforts to curb this scourge. The legacy of violence and extreme inequality from South Africa’s past is compounded by high poverty and…, Resources, Publications and reports, The solution, woman-walking-with-children UNICEF is committed to ending violence against children, gender-based violence and femicide. UNICEF is working tirelessly towards the vision of a South Africa free of violence. While the scale of this challenge is daunting, with focused policy, advocacy and intervention – and with the joint commitment and resources of…

NEW YORK/ PRETORIA , 30 March 2020  – As nationwide school closures disrupt the education for more than 80 per cent of students worldwide, UNICEF today announced it will significantly scale up support in all countries to help children continue their learning while keeping schools safe. “Schools in the majority of countries worldwide have closed.…

Please share this UNICEF poster with four precautions you and your family can take to avoid infection. Download photo of the ZAF-covid-19-how-can-I-avoid-infection-2020 poster [Jpg], March 2020, Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub Cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing How can…

   Q1. What effect does coronavirus have on pregnant women? Generally, pregnant women do not appear to be more severely unwell than the general population if they develop coronavirus. As this is a new virus, it is not yet clear how it may affect you. It is expected the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu…

The challenge, Thousands of children die from treatable and preventable conditions. Since 1995, South Africa has made substantial progress in transforming its health sector, making primary healthcare services available to millions who were previously denied access. Yet access to healthcare remains a challenge, with vital healthcare interventions not reaching the…, Resources, Publications and reports, The solution, Mother-and-baby UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child survives and thrives. Our approach to South Africa’s health challenge is three-fold: contributing to the evidence-base for policy, advocacy and programming delivering innovative programmes with partners – especially in high-burden and low-performing districts supporting the…

Giving to charity can be a confusing minefield. As the  Busting 5 myths about large charity organizations myths abound about larger charities , so do the false perceptions about individual humanitarian organisations, like UNICEF. The global nature of our organization’s initiatives and programmes can make our on-the-ground impact seem far-removed…, 1. Can I really see UNICEF South Africa involved on the ground?, No matter what people’s reasons are for giving to charity, our primary goal at UNICEF is to bring tangible transformation in the life of every child. We achieve this in two primary ways: persistent, ongoing support to improving the everyday lives of children around the globe and immediate disaster relief. If it seems impossible to locate our work…, 2. How does UNICEF work with Government?, UNICEF works both on the ground ( in playgrounds ) and on the higher levels of government ( in parliament ) to ensure lasting and tangible progress in the lives of children. The gaps that remain between well-resourced and under-resourced communities require meaningful measures to make meaningful change. By working with government, as well as the…, Become a monthly pledge donor and make a difference!,   

We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a…, The challenge, A country of contrast and diversity As one child sets off to school, dressed in a crisp new uniform and polished shoes, another knocks on a car window at a traffic light, asking for money. As one child rises to prepare for school, another has already been walking for three hours to get there on time. As one sick child is given medical attention in…, Solution, Working to support the government, families and communities in reducing child poverty and improving education, health and child protection for every child. Children in South Africa do not face these challenges alone. At UNICEF, we strive to ensure that no child is left behind. In this, we work to support the South African Government, families and…, Resources

This joint note aims to consolidate the current recommendations on Infant and Young Child Feeding in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. This guidance is not intended to replace national guidance, rather to serve as a resource that is based on the latest evidence. The contents are adapted to the African…