Since Christmas Day, my heart has been heavy. The headlines are filled with stories of babies being born to other babies—young girls, some as young as 10 years old, bringing life into the world when they themselves are still children. And as much as these stories break my heart, they also ignite a rage deep within me. Why are we calling this “teenage pregnancy” when, in reality, it is statutory rape?
What makes me even more mad is that I just read an article on News24 and I see that in the Eastern Cape, a 12 year old girl was amongst the new mothers who gave birth on new years day. I am beyond angry.
These are not just numbers on a page or statistics in a report. These are our children—girls who should be in school, playing with friends, dreaming of their futures. Instead, they are being robbed of their childhoods and forced into motherhood because of the despicable actions of men who prey on their vulnerability.
Last year, we saw a surge of campaigns against teenage pregnancy. But where are the campaigns against statutory rape? Where is the outrage against the men who are committing these atrocities? Where are the handcuffs, the court cases, the prison sentences? Why is the narrative focusing on young girls as if they alone bear the responsibility, while the perpetrators remain invisible, unaccountable, and free?
This issue is not new. I remember being in my village back in 2021 and hearing about an 11-year-old cousin of mine who had a baby. I couldn’t believe it. I felt dumbfounded and numb as the reality sank in. When I visited her home, there she was—a child, cradling her own child, her body and mind forever changed by something she had no choice in.
I asked my mother how this could happen, and she told me the story. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a family member had been raping this young girl. My blood boiled as she explained that the man was arrested but, knowing our family, they likely “resolved” it as a family matter. I wanted to scream. A family matter? Since when is the violation of a child something to be handled behind closed doors? Since when do we, as a society, allow perpetrators to escape justice under the guise of family unity?
This is not just a family issue. It is a societal failure, a legal failure, and a moral failure.
We hear countless stories of children giving birth, but where are the stories of the men being arrested and prosecuted? Why isn’t there a national outcry, demanding justice for these young girls? Why isn’t the government stepping in with an iron fist to address the root cause—the predators who prey on our children?
Every time I see a headline about another child giving birth, I want to ask our government: What are you doing people!!!?
- Where are the arrests?
- Where are the investigations?
- Where is the justice for these girls?
- Why are these men not in prison, paying for the lives they’ve destroyed?
It’s not enough to run campaigns about “teenage pregnancy.” We need campaigns that address the real issue: statutory rape. We need to stop using soft language that diminishes the gravity of the situation. This isn’t just about young mothers—it’s about a system that allows young girls to be violated and then abandons them to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
We need accountability. Families cannot be allowed to “resolve” rape as a private matter. Communities cannot turn a blind eye to the men in their midst who are raping their daughters, nieces, and neighbors. The justice system cannot continue to fail these girls by letting perpetrators slip through the cracks.
To anyone reading this: If you know of a child who has been forced into motherhood, ask yourself—where is the father? Is he a teenager, or is he an adult who should be behind bars? If it’s the latter, demand action. Report him. Refuse to let this be swept under the rug as just another sad story.
And to our government: Yeyi nina!! Do something. Show us that you care about the children of this country. Show us that their lives, their bodies, and their futures matter. Start treating this for what it is—a crisis—and act accordingly.
Enough is enough. It’s not teenage pregnancy. It’s statutory rape. And it’s time for South Africa to wake up.
