27 November 2007
The Ambassador for Children's Rights in South Africa, Gabatshwane Gumede,
the National Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor and North West Premier Edna
Molewa will lead about 150 children in a walk that starts on Tuesday, 27
November from Rustenburg to Mafikeng.
Orphaned, homeless and schoolchildren between the ages of 13 to 18 will join
the more than 200 km walk which starts at Olympia Park Stadium from 7h00 and
culminates in a gala dinner in Mafikeng on 28 November 2007.
Gabatswhane Lilly Gumede, a 13 year-old girl child artist and an Aids orphan
from Lethabong Township in Rustenburg who was elected by the children of the
world to be the South African Ambassador for the Rights of the Child, at the
United Nations (UN) Convention, has been central in the planning of this
historic event.
The walk is aimed at mobilising families and civil society for the
protection and care of children. It will also be used to raise awareness among
children and adults about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the
African Chapter on the Rights of the Child. Through the walk, government hopes
to motivate children to become responsible citizens. It is hoped that the walk
will, in its own small way, help promote and facilitate initiatives towards the
alleviation of child poverty.
The walk will take place along the N4 Platinum Corridor where workshops will
be held to educate farm children about their rights and to encourage them to go
to school. The rights of children will also form part of discussions during the
walk, which is also a build-up towards the International Day for the Rights of
the Children and 16 Days of Activism for No Violence on Women and Children.
The gesture is a joint venture between all spheres of government and
non-governmental organisations. The event will also encompass games, music and
many other entertaining activities for children.
The North West Department of Social Development and the Office on the Rights
of Children in the Premier's Office will also participate in the walk through
the facilitation of Social Workers and other stakeholders.
Programme (27 to 28 November 2007)
7h00 to 8h00: The kick-off event, Rustenburg at the Olympia Park Stadium
19h00: The walk will culminate in Mafikeng at a Gala Dinner, Civic
Centre
* Opening: National Anthem
* Welcome â Mayor
* Candle lighting
* Purpose of the day â Gabatshwane Gumede
* Message of support: Minister / Premier / MEC
* Vote of thanks â Kgosi / One of the Children
* Lighting of the Torch
Gala Dinner in Mafikeng on 28 November 2007
* Programme Directors â Children
* The children (walkers) will enter the venue carrying the torch. They will
goon stage and lead in the singing of the National Anthem
* Welcome â walkers in the official languages
* Candle lighting
* Purpose of the day â Gabatshwane Gumede
* Song: the walkers
* Keynote address â Premier / MEC
* Handing over of the torch â Gabatshwane Gumede
Contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Chief Director: Communication
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Fax: 018 387 3119
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
27 November 2007
