The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), in partnership with the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), will host an imbizo at the Barolong-Boo-Rratshidi Hall, Mahikeng, on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, to celebrate the World Consumer Rights Day and to introduce the new National Consumer Commission to traditional leaders.
Members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, National Council of Provinces (NCOP), as well as non-governmental organisations, will attend the event. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe and the Provincial MEC of DEDECT, Tebogo Modise will address the participants.
15 March is World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) and is celebrated globally. On 15 March 1963, President John F Kennedy gave an address to the United States (US) Congress in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so, and the consumer movement now marks 15 March every year as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights.
WCRD is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers, for demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and for protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them. This year the WCRD is celebrated under the theme Consumers for Fair Financial Services.
“The year 2011 marks memorable milestone in the history of consumer protection in South Africa. The much-anticipated Consumer Protection Act, which aims to promote and advance the social and economic welfare of consumers, comes into effect on 1 April 2011. The National Consumer Commission has been established to implement the new Act and ensure that all South African consumers are fully protected against unfair business practices,” says Deputy Minister, Thabethe.
“The izimbizo that we are holding with traditional leaders are not only part of our campaign to create awareness about the new Act, which places emphasis on vulnerable consumers such those in rural communities, but will also mark the birth of a meaningful relationship between the Commission and the traditional leadership of South Africa aimed at reaching the rural communities of our country,” she adds.
“My Department will work closely with Consumer Commission to respond to challenges encountered by consumers especially trading conducted online as these have exposed them on various schemes and scams around the world, said MEC Modise.
Enquiries:
Director Media Relations: Sidwell Medupe, the dti
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Dumisa Seshabela, Director: Communication, DEDECT
Tel: (018) 387 7860
Mobile: 079 522 7375
E-mail: dseshabela@nwpg.gov.za
Source: The Department of Trade Industry
