The COVID-19 restrictions, child services and the well-being of children in South Africa
Date
2024-11-06
Authors
Marais, Lochner
Matamanda, Abraham
Gbadegesin, Taiwo Frances
Ntema, John
Mgwele, Abongile
Dunn, Mischka
Nel, Verna
Lehobo, Timothy M.
Andres, Lauren
Denoon-Stevens, Stuart
Citation
Marais, L., Matamanda, A., Gbadegesin, F., Ntema, J., Mgwele, A., Dunn, M., Nel, V., Lehobo, T.M., Andres, L. and Denoon-Stevens, S. (2024) ‘The COVID-19 restrictions, child services and the well-being of children in South Africa’, International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 18(1), p. 12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-024-00138-7.
Abstract
Covid-19 posed little danger to children. Nevertheless, the South African government imposed lockdown measures that impeded children’s education, play and food. Schools were closed, feeding schemes were halted and organised sports were banned. In this study of South African children’s experience during the 2020–22 pandemic, we use the capabilities approach, particularly Nussbaum’s ten capabilities, to assess how the lockdown measures affected their development. The one-dimensional nature of the government response was evident in its focus on physical health and safeguarding adults and the health system, at the expense of children’s well-being. Children were masked and their voices were not heard. Despite being far less at risk of illness or death than adults, children and young people were disproportionately affected by government regulations. Children from low-income environments were particularly severely affected.