North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Sunday called upon women fellowships within the church to embrace their community builders role by establishing support groups for abused women and child headed households.
MEC Yawa was addressing the Anglican Church's 54th women march anniversary commemoration held at the Tsogong Cathedral in Ikageng outside Potchefstroom.
MEC Yawa also urged the mothers' unions and women fellowships to develop vegetable gardens to feed the poor, widows and those ravaged by incurable diseases like HIV and AIDS.
"The battle cry of the heroines who led the 9 August 1956 historic march against repressive apartheid pass laws, 'wathin't abafazi, within't imbokodo-You strike the women, you strike the rock', made the bold statement that the risen women of our country, who were continuing a struggle in which the women had been involved from the very beginning of the colonial period, were as indestructible as granite.
"It signalled the commitment of the masses of the women of our country to continue the struggle against apartheid until victory was won, a commitment they honoured," Yawa reflected.
Yawa said that the battle cry should today translate into determination of girl children and women to enter into fields of science, engineering, medicine, commerce, construction, etc. and to succeed in order for women to take to their rightful positions in society.
He said that the battle cry should today translate into Hanna's cry against crime and lawlessness, a cry for unity, moral regeneration and prayer and active support of the war against greed, corruption, poverty and disease.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: (018)381 9123
E-mail: lkgwele@nwpg.gov.za
