Early Childhood Development practitioner explains how baby savers operate

An Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioner has shared insights into what happens when a baby is left in baby savers devices, as debates continue over proposed legislation that could criminalise their use.

On Friday, activists protested at the Union Buildings in the City of Tshwane against the Department of Social Development's proposed legislative amendments.

The proposed changes will make the use of baby saver devices illegal.

They handed over a memorandum of demands to the office of the Presidency, which promised to respond within seven to 14 days.

ALSO READ: Presidency to respond to Baby Savers South Africa's grievances

Ngoentsore Magongwe, who works at the Edupen ECD Centre in Pretoria central, said while she is not directly involved in the relinquishment process, she understands how the system functions to protect abandoned infants

She further said she witnessed the positive impact of safe and nurturing environments daily.

“Immediately you open the baby saver, you put the baby in, you close it. After closing it, it's going to ring on the person who is in charge of the centre, that is, the baby saver. And then they are immediately going to come and take the child, maybe cover them to make them warm, and immediately go to the police station to report that they found the child, so that there can be a case. Then other people are contacted, such as social services.”