Campaign, Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Ms Nomatyala
Hangana
20 November 2006
The Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government, who's also the
National Convener of the campaign, Ms Nomatyala Hangana, and Deputy Minister of
Social Development Dr Jean Benjamin briefed members of the Media on the 16 days
Activism Campaign that will be taking place around the country.
It is here that Ms Hangana also officially launched the 'SMS and Postcard
Campaign' � which are the fundraising aspects of the campaign and further
pleaded with the media and society at large to support the campaign by sending
an "Act Against Abuse" sms to 31616. "By sending this sms you will not only be
helping us spread the message, but also contributing R5 for the abused women
and children," she said
Ms Hangana stressed the importance of having the media not just as
reporters, but as partners in support of the campaign, hence the media launch
that was held today at the Winterveld post office. Ms Hangana talked about
strengthening of partnerships with all sectors of society in order to fight
violence against women and children.
Ms Hangana also stressed that it is important that the campaign reaches out
to people at grassroots level. "Ordinary women on the ground should feel the
campaign is working for them," she added.
Group Chief Executive of the South African Post Office (SAPO), Ms Liz Thebe
opened her speech by saying she was happy that in the end the issue of women
abuse is being finally taken care of through this campaign. She also warned
women against internalising abuse. SAPO being one of the key partners and
sponsors of the Postcard Campaign, she committed SAPO to print one million
postcards, which will be distributed around the country; for each postcard
signed and returned, the campaign would get R2. The funds that would have been
raised would in the end go to the shelters and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) caring for abused women and children.
The two Deputy Ministers and the team concluded the launch by doing a
community walkabout, where the Deputy Ministers talked briefly to both men and
women about the campaign. It is also during this walkabout that the deputy
ministers distributed information with vital contact details when faced with
abuse.
For more information, please contact:
Bheki Nkonyane
Cell: 082 453 8363
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
20 November 2006
