Lucinda misses the cut
|Published
OUT: Lucinda Evans OUT: Lucinda Evans
The nominations for the Western Cape’s first commissioner for children have been cut down to 15 names.
The standing committee on Social Development concluded the process of shortlisting last week, after a total of 59 nominations were received, reports the Cape Times.
This followed a series of rigorous workshops and discussions on key performance areas that the commissioner is expected to fulfil during their tenure.
The commissioner will be tasked with monitoring, investigating, researching, educating, lobbying, advising and reporting on matters
pertaining to children in the province.
Committee chairperson, Gillion Bosman, said: “The committee has
considered all candidates, guided by chapter 3 of the act.”
Shortlisted candidates include Marlene le Roux, Christina Nomdo, Eric Atmore, Lizelle Africa, Carol Bower, Gabriela McKellar, Joy van der Heyden, Lukas Muntingh, Christelle Olivier, Lydia Plaaitjies, Samantha Albertyn, Ingrid Lestrade, Naqita Alexander, Zakira Mohamed and Mirinda Gaum.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on February 18-20.
Safer Kids ZA founder and Western Cape Child Protection Collaborative member, Tony Lawrence, said: “It is a fair list, with one or two surprises, and some names expected to be on, are not on. All eyes are on this position and the final choice because this is a first for Africa.”
OUT: Lucinda Evans
Lawrence said a particular quality sought was a very good rapport with children as there should be “an open-door policy for children to come to the commission themselves to lay complaints and voice their opinions”.
One of the favourites for the post was Lavender Hill activist Lucinda Evans who did not make the cut.
Evans was named in this year’s BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world.
On Monday, she told the Daily Voice she and her organisation, Philisa Abafazi Bethu Women Centre, will support the commissioner.
“I want to congratulate everybody that has been shortlisted, and I’m especially grateful that there are so many women
candidates,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated me and who rooted for me, but we understand that this time it’s not my season.”
Cape Times