Noncebo (13 years old and female) and her brother Justice (14) grew up in Hennenman, a small town 35 minutes outside of Welkom in the Free State Province, South Africa. Noncebo

Question

remembers a happy childhood, things were more difficult after her father passed away in 2019 from a sudden heart attack. Her mother did her best to keep the family afloat and they
survived until her mother got COVID in 2020 and she passed away. The two children then started living with their maternal grandparents in a single-bedroom house. Their uncle, Petrus,
lost his job recently and has also moved in. Petrus has a drinking problem and becomes quite aggressive when under the influence. Their grandmother, an active church member, speaks to
their pastor about the tricky situation. She is especially concerned about young Noncebo, and the interest uncle Petrus seems to show in her, when he has been drinking.
Pastor Thomas is extremely concerned and contacts one of his pastor friends, Jacob, originally from the Eastern Cape, who has a well established church in Welkom. Pastor Jacob suggests
the children move to Welkom, a booming town with many opportunities. He will take the children in and will raise them as his own. Both children will be enrolled in school, and there will
be an opportunity to go to University if they wanted to. Pastor Jacob will also assist the family by sending them funds to cover necessities since it is difficult to survive on their state pensions.
The children will be able to visit home during the school holidays. Secure in the fact that the children will have better opportunities, the grandparents agree and arrangements are made.
Noncebo and Justice leave Hennenman to start their new life in Welkom during January 2023.
The children have a busy schedule, and when the grandparents phone, Pastor Jacob says they are out. However, he updates them on the children: Justice has been enrolled in a boys-only
school, and Noncebo has been enrolled in a girl's school. The children are both involved in sporting activities with Justice showing interest in soccer and Noncebo in netball. Due to their busy
schedule, the children will only visit home over the Winter holidays. The school holidays arrive, and the children are expected to arrive in Hennenman on Friday evening. Pastor Thomas will
fetch them in Welkom and bring them back to Hennenman.
Only, Pastor Thomas arrives alone.
He informs the grandparents that nobody was home when he arrived in Welkom. Neighbours told him the property has been quiet for the last few weeks. They did not know any children
were living on the property. He goes to his friend’s church and is informed that Pastor Jacob has decided to move back to the Eastern Cape. The congregants further relate that Pastor Jacob
said he was to be married and he was moving back home.
Later that evening, they receive a call. Justice has been rescued in an operation targeting the activity of Zama-Zamas in Welkom. He relates the events after their arrival in Welkom. On the
same evening of their arrival, he was abducted in the night. He was taken to a non-operational mine where armed men gave him a choice: Work in the mine or you will be shot. Upon furtherAnswer the following questions:
1. Identify the uniquely South African forms of trafficking evident in the case study and explain why the forms you have identified qualify as acts of
trafficking by making use of the definitions of human- and child trafficking.
2. Make suggestions on how service providers could support Noncebo and Justice in avoiding the development of a ‘victim schema’ by making use of
theories focusing on the development of self-efficacy and resilience.

Answer 1

Question 1: Identifying Trafficking Forms and Their Qualification

In the case study of Noncebo and Justice, there are two forms of trafficking evident:

1. Child Trafficking:

   • Definition: According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), child trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, involvement in illicit activities, and practices similar to slavery.
   • Explanation: After moving to Welkom, Noncebo and Justice faced a sudden and significant change in their living situation. Although the initial intent was to secure a better life for them, the reality became starkly different when Justice was abducted and forced into a labor context within a mine, reflecting elements of exploitation. Furthermore, Noncebo's precarious living situation under Pastor Jacob's guardianship, if it led to exploitation (e.g., sexual exploitation), would also fall into the category of child trafficking. Given that both children were vulnerable due to their circumstances, the likelihood of being exploited further amplifies the risk of trafficking.

2. Labor Trafficking:

   • Definition: Labor trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of a person for labor services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
   • Explanation: Justice's abduction and coercion to work in a mine without choice underscore labor trafficking. The armed men giving him the option to work or face death exemplifies the severe coercion used to compel individuals into forced labor. This scenario illustrates the exploitation of minors who find themselves in vulnerable situations, as Justice was essentially forced into dangerous working conditions without consent.

Question 2: Support Strategies for Noncebo and Justice

To support Noncebo and Justice in avoiding the development of a 'victim schema'—a psychological state where individuals identify predominantly as victims, which can hinder their sense of agency—service providers can focus on fostering self-efficacy and resilience through the following strategies:

1. Empowerment Programs:

   • Focus: Implement skills-development workshops that teach life skills and vocational training. This can empower the children with practical skills to enable them to take control of their futures and make informed choices.
   • Rationale: Learning new skills not only increases self-efficacy but also provides a sense of purpose and hope for the future.

2. Counseling and Psychological Support:

   • Focus: Offer trauma-informed counseling that helps the children process their experiences without labeling them solely as victims. Facilitate discussions where they can express their feelings and build a personal narrative of resilience, strength, and survival.
   • Rationale: Acknowledging their experiences while focusing on recovery and strength can help them rebuild their identities.

3. Mentorship Programs:

   • Focus: Establish mentorship connections with positive role models who can guide Noncebo and Justice in their personal and academic lives. This can include access to community leaders, educators, and successful youth who understand their situation.
   • Rationale: Mentors can provide guidance, support, networking opportunities, and encouragement, fostering a sense of belonging and motivation.

4. Social Connections and Community Engagement:

   • Focus: Encourage participation in community activities and organizations that promote friendship, teamwork, and leadership—such as sports teams or youth clubs.
   • Rationale: Social connections are vital in helping Noncebo and Justice establish a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation or victimization.

5. Goal-Setting and Future Planning:

   • Focus: Assist them in setting realistic, achievable goals for their education, personal growth, and career aspirations, creating an action plan to reach those goals.
   • Rationale: Goal-setting can instill a sense of agency, allowing them to visualize a different future and understand that they have the power to influence the trajectory of their lives.

By implementing these strategies, service providers can help Noncebo and Justice develop resilience, self-efficacy, and a positive narrative that moves beyond their victim status into one of empowerment and hope.