EDUCARE - University of South Africa

A Historical-educational perspective of urbanisation 105
experienced in squatter settlements which have mushroomed as people
flock to the cities in search of employment; poverty; lack of education,
and the inferior status of women all seem to play a part in the rapid
spread of HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that by 2015 ± the year in which
HIV/AIDS is expected to reach its peak ± between 9±12% of the
population will be AIDS orphans. In real terms, this interprets to
between 3.6 and 4.8 million children under the age of 15 years who will
be without a parent or guardian. UNICEF estimates that there are
currently approximately 700 000 AIDS orphans in South Africa. The
country simply does not have the infrastructure to care for these
children ± either through institutionalisation or through foster care
programmes ± and it is projected that as children become orphaned
and destitute through HIV/AIDS, many will turn to the streets for their
livelihood. One of the sources of sure income for street children is
prostitution which, under prevailing circumstances exposes them to
the risk of HIV infection and consequently contributes to the further
spread of the disease (Van Greunen 2001:40±41).
A review of the factors which have contributed and which continue to
contribute to the escalation of the number of children on the streets of
South African cities have been outlined and it now becomes necessary
to provide a sketch of who these South African street children indeed
are.
4 A PROFILE OF STREET CHILDREN IN SOUTH
AFRICA
South African street children are known by various names which
describe their circumstances and characteristics. In Cape Town, they
are known as strollers ± a term that describes their loitering and
ambling along the streets, their `free spiritedness' and being an
authority unto themselves. In Johannesburg and elsewhere they are
called twilight children ± children of and active in the dark; malunde ±
those that sleep on the streets; and malalapayipi ± those who sleep in the
stormwater pipes. Inherent to these terms, is a portrayal of who and
what street children are ± they are children for whom the street offers