The SAHRC places the best interests of the child first in all of its work. As such, Commissioners resolved in 2020 to establish a dedicated Children’s Rights Unit, to focus on effectively fulfilling the Constitutional mandate of promoting, protecting and monitoring the realisation of the rights of children in South Africa. The Children’s Rights Unit seeks to protect, promote, and educate on children’s rights, advocate for legislative and policy reform, create awareness and participate in advancing children's rights both at the domestic, regional and international levels.

The Unit’s work is informed by the Constitutional mandate of the Commission, the Children’s Act and other relevant national legislation, and applicable international and regional instruments. The Unit is led by Commissioner Angie Makwetla. She is supported by her Research Advisor, Omolara Asuni, and her Personal Assistant, Dirk Swart.

Angie Makwetla is a human Rights Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission. She is responsible for Children’s Rights and Migration. Angie is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) where she was chairperson of the Social and Ethics Committee. She was also a member of the Human Capacity and Remuneration Committee of the NEF, as well as a trustee of the Dr Thandi Ndlovu Children’s Foundation. Chairman of the National Arts Council, a Community and Arts Program of the Department of Arts and Culture;  NAFHOLD Investments which was an investment arms of NAFCOC

She has received various awards and recognitions, including Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award (Media & Communications category), Visionary Leadership Award by the Soweto branch of the BWA, and Top emerging SMME Empowerment Company by Impumelelo Top Companies, a recognition endorsed by the dti.

Angie describes herself as a social entrepreneur, dedicated to life-long learning and she is deeply passionate about children’s rights.