N Hangana: Closing ceremony of 16 Days of Activism Campaign

10 December 2007

Programme Director, MEC Penye Vilakazi
Premier of the North West province, Edna Molewa
The Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe
Members of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (NCOP)
MECs with us here today
Members of the Provincial Legislature present
Mayors and Councillors here present
In particular, our host, the Mayor of Ratlou Local Municipality, Councillor
Setlhogo
All the Kgosis gracing this occasion with their presence
Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service
Ladies and gentlemen
All protocol observed

Let me start by acknowledging the invaluable support from the Premier of
this province, Edna Molewa, for hosting us again this year, as was the case in
2005. We are here today because we know that our people in the North West have
big hearts as demonstrated by the leadership of your Premier.

My task this morning is to outline the purpose of today's event. Today – 10
December - is International Human Rights Day. On 10 December 1948 the General
Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Article one of this declaration asserts that "All human beings are born
free and equal in dignity and rights."

Today is a day when nations of the world will remember those who have
suffered various forms of human rights abuses. It was only 13 years ago in
South Africa when we consigned to history the inhuman and brutal system of
apartheid. This system inflicted state-led abuses, torture, murder and
oppression on millions of our people.

For us in South Africa, today therefore must be an occasion for us to
recommit ourselves to upholding and respecting the rights of all people and the
Bill of Rights as enshrined in our democratic Constitution of 1996. Our
Constitution says that "Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have
their dignity respected and protected." It goes further to say that all our
children also have constitutionally protected basic rights, including 'the
right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, neglect, abuse or
degradation.'

Today is also the 16th day of the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of
Violence against Women and Children. It is therefore fitting that on this day
we also think of those women and children who have been victims of violence and
abuse, and those who continue to be trapped in the cycle of victimisation.

It is equally important for us on this day is to remember and honour those
women and men who have worked tirelessly to bring an end to gender-based
violence and to protect the rights of our children in this country and across
the globe.

As we look back over the last 15 days and in fact this last year, I am sure
most of us will agree that we have pushed the 16 Days Campaign to new heights
and frontiers. The message of saying 'No to Abuse' has gained momentum and
support in our crèches, schools, universities, churches, mosques, community
organisations, sporting organisations, various places of work, farming
communities, institutions of traditional leadership, government offices and our
homes.

On 25 November 2007, we launched the campaign in Bloemfontein with a Million
Men's March. This was supported by similar marches across the country. It was
heart warming to see many organisations, including our men's organisations play
an active role in supporting the campaign. Our key partner, the South African
Post Office was also there in full force with their red T-shirts.

We also need to acknowledge the outstanding support from the public
broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). This was
witnessed through presenters wearing White Ribbons, to discussions on various
radio and television programmes and key messages that were built into some of
our soapies.

We also need applaud many in the print media, our community based radio
stations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community and faith-based
organisations, the private sector, government departments and our
municipalities for their active support. The religious sector was also not left
behind. Just yesterday, I was invited to address a large congregation on the
campaign during a church service in Soweto.

We can confidently say that we have reached a stage where the 16 Days
Campaign has become a campaign of the nation that has penetrated all sectors
and areas of our country.

Today, we have also used as an opportunity to link the 16 Days Campaign to
another important campaign of government, namely the Arrive Alive Campaign. The
presence of Minister Radebe here today is evidence of this. Through the Torch
of Peace, which has stationed at the Union Buildings for since 12 November
2007, we are demonstrating the seamless link between critical government-led
programmes aimed at creating safer and more secure communities.

Programme Director, today marks the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism
of No Violence Against Women and Children for 2007. Today is therefore one
opportunity for us to take stock of the 2007 Campaign. For example, we will get
feedback on the funds raised through the Post Card Campaign.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us see today not as an end to the 2007 Campaign,
but as the start of a year-long campaign of activism and vigilance. To echo
President Mbeki in his Opening Address of the 2004, 16 Days of Activism
Campaign, he said that we need to combat this ill every single day of the year,
365 days a year.

I want to challenge all of us present here today to strengthen our resolve
to 'Act Against Abuse' every minute of every hour, every hour of every day, and
every day of the year! This must be part of our New Year's resolutions for
2008.

I thank you!

Ndiyabulela!

Ke a leboha!

Issued by: Ministry of Provincial and Local Government
10 December 2007