SidebySide

SidebySide Side-by-Side is an early childhood education campaign led by the National Department of Health. What is Side-by-Side? It starts with breastfeeding.

Side-by-Side is a national Department of Health campaign working to ensure that all children under 5 receive the nurturing care they need to develop to the best of their abilities. It relies on all stakeholders caring for caregivers and pregnant women to work alongside each other. Side-by-Side rests on 5 pillars:

NUTRITION - Good nutrition is important for mothers’ and children’s health. LOVE - B

rain development is spurred by responsive care and love, play, and talk. PROTECTION - Children can be protected from childhood disease and injury by getting immunized, and safety in the home. HEALTH CARE - Children need care when they are sick or injured
EXTRA CARE - Some children may need special care or support. Caregivers should know what to do and where to go.

“Together, we can ensure that South Africa’s youngest children receive the care they need to survive and thrive.”

If you haven't already registered to attend the webinar as we commemorate tomorrow, you can do so now using this link:...
03/06/2026

If you haven't already registered to attend the webinar as we commemorate tomorrow, you can do so now using this link: https://tinyurl.com/32hwv5mj

Join the webinar as expert panellists from the National Department of Health (South Africa), Department of Social Development, Department of Employment and Labour, World Health Organization (WHO) and Ilifa Labantwana tackle child protection and safety.

"Working together in ending violence against children"

🧑🏼‍🍼Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and protected. 🏥Immunisations protect children from deadly disease...
03/06/2026

🧑🏼‍🍼Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and protected.

🏥Immunisations protect children from deadly diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria.

👶🏻Immunisations prevent illness, disability and death.

🗂️Protect your child today by attending your clinic appointment and making sure you are up to date with all their life-course immunisations.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

‼️Child marriage is when one or both people in a union are under the age of 18. In South Africa, allowing boys to marry ...
03/06/2026

‼️Child marriage is when one or both people in a union are under the age of 18. In South Africa, allowing boys to marry at 14 and girls at 12 raises serious concerns about equality and the protection of children’s rights.

🧑🏽‍⚖️ The practice of ukuthwala involving minors infringes on children’s rights, including their right to education, health, safety, freedom, and dignity. It often places children at risk of forced cohabitation, sexual abuse and early pregnancy.

👮What can we do to protect children from being trafficked or forced into marriage?

- Report police bribery in relation to child trafficking cases or forced marriages.
- Children in child-headed households should be referred to social workers, so they can get the relevant and appropriate help.
- Family members who take in foster children can apply for a foster care grant to accommodate the needs of a growing family.
- We all play a part in reporting instances of ukuthwala, forced marriages or any other forms of violence and abuse that children face in their families, at school, even in church.

🤝 Every child deserves safety, protection, and dignity.



National Department of Health (South Africa) Department of Social Development

📻 This , tune in to your favourite radio station and catch special Side-by-Side interviews with health experts discussi...
02/06/2026

📻 This , tune in to your favourite radio station and catch special Side-by-Side interviews with health experts discussing child safety, protection, and creating nurturing environments where children can thrive.

Listen at the scheduled times and be part of the conversation on protecting our children.

🧒🏾👧🏿 Every child deserves to be safe, protected, and treated with dignity. Protecting children is everyone's responsibility.

👀Making sure our children are supervised at all times is one of the simplest ways we can protect them from violence.- 🚸 ...
02/06/2026

👀Making sure our children are supervised at all times is one of the simplest ways we can protect them from violence.

- 🚸 Do not leave your child with strangers.

- 🧑‍🧑‍🧒When leaving your baby, make sure they are with family members or members of the community you trust.

- 🫂As members of the community, we all play a part in ensuring that children are safe and off the street. We all have to watch out for unfamiliar adults who befriend children or buy them gifts.

- 💬If you are a parent, make sure you know where your child is at all times and encourage them to tell you their whereabouts or contact you if they are going to be late.

- 💬Parents, family members, and neighbours should create bonds with children and encourage open communication, so that children feel comfortable talking to an adult when they are in trouble.

It's the culture of raising all children as our own that will ensure the level of violence children face is reduced, and it starts with you!


National Department of Health (South Africa)

🎧 Missed Side by Side Season 4? Parents and caregivers can still catch up while we wait for Season 5!The Side-by-Side ra...
01/06/2026

🎧 Missed Side by Side Season 4? Parents and caregivers can still catch up while we wait for Season 5!

The Side-by-Side radio programmes share trusted advice and practical support on pregnancy, parenting, child health, nutrition, play, breastfeeding, and early childhood development — helping families give children the best possible start in life.

From topics like breastfeeding and the first 1000 days to child development and play, Season 4 is packed with valuable information for every parent and caregiver.

🎙️ Listen to Season 4 here: Side by Side Season 4 Radio Programmes.

📱 Don’t forget to scan the QR code in the image to start listening and sharing with other parents and caregivers!

SABC Education Department of Basic Education

Does your child know their rights? 🧑‍🧒To protect our little ones from harm, we have to teach them their rights so they c...
01/06/2026

Does your child know their rights?

🧑‍🧒To protect our little ones from harm, we have to teach them their rights so they can learn when others violate them.

👶🏻For example, you can teach your child consent by telling them no one can touch them on their private areas and that no one should tell them to touch their private parts while they watch.

You can also teach them to name and point to parts of their bodies that are a no-no, meaning others, whether it's their peers, adults, teachers, etc., cannot touch.

💬Emphasise to your little ones that if someone, whether a stranger or a member of the family, touches them on their no-no areas, they should feel comfortable telling you.

🫂As a parent and caregiver, you have to create an environment that is safe for your child to feel comfortable telling you when something wrong has happened to them.

🚔It is also your responsibility as a parent and caregiver to report matters of sexual assault or harassment.

🫂You do not have to walk this unpleasant journey alone; you can get help by contacting a Social Worker from a Child protection organisation, such as a Child Welfare Society, the Department of Social Development, or the Child Protection Officer of the South African Police Services.



National Department of Health (South Africa) Department of Social Development

Every child deserves to grow up safe, heard, protected, and loved. 💙From the moment children wake up each day, they expe...
01/06/2026

Every child deserves to grow up safe, heard, protected, and loved. 💙

From the moment children wake up each day, they experience a world shaped by the choices of adults around them.

This , let’s listen to children, understand their realities, and work together to build a world where every child can thrive. 🌍✨

🥛Breast milk is more than just food — it’s a vital source of energy and nutrients for babies and young children. 🤱🏼Betwe...
01/06/2026

🥛Breast milk is more than just food — it’s a vital source of energy and nutrients for babies and young children.

🤱🏼Between 6–12 months, breastmilk gives your baby most of the energy they need. It’s especially important when your child is sick, helping them recover and stay strong. 💛

🌱 Children who were breastfed are more likely to grow up healthier, with a lower risk of being overweight. Breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer for mothers.

👨🏽‍👩🏽‍👧🏽 Breastfeeding is an investment in your child’s future, supporting health, development, and wellbeing for life.

Remember, if you struggle with breastfeeding, you can ask a nurse to assist you, or you can also refer to page 5 of the Road to Health Booklet for tips. Visit our website: https://sidebyside.co.za/ to read our breastfeeding leaflet.

You can also send your breastfeeding queries to or visit their site: https://www.health.gov.za/momconnect/, register to join by sending “join” on WhatsApp to 079 631 2456 or dial *134*550*2 # free from your phone.

Address

Dr AB Xuma Building, 1112 Voortrekker Road, Pretoria Townlands 351-JR
Pretoria
0187

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@SideBySide_za, https://www.instagram.com

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