Thousands of residents in the North West province are expected to take to the street today to present a memorandum against the scourge of rape.
The march is to precede the launch of the Ambassadors of Goodwill Project, prayers and roll out of the North West Provincial 2013 One million Signature Anti-Rape Campaign to be held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre as from 11h00. The procession of the march to involve learners and the aged will start from Mmabana Cultural Centre at 10h00 and proceed to the Convention Centre.
The programme for the campaign launch includes Prayer sessions, Lighting of the candle, Poetry session, Gospel, Testimony from rape survivors and prisoners arrested for rapes, DVD display of photos of identified rape victims, launch of whistle blowing campaign, Distribution of pepper sprays to senior citizens.
A discreet help desk of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit will be on site to assist community members check progress on reported rape cases.
The Anti-rape campaign with the theme “Tirisano Mmogo-Unite Against Rape” supports the million signature campaign launched by Premier Thandi Modise in partnership with the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (NICSA-North West Chapter) last month. Premier Modise had earlier said that crime is eroding the moral fibre and needs to be fought on all fronts.
The Ambassadors of Goodwill Initiative and distribution of a safety-kit to the elderly is in response to the Premier’s call for crime prevention structures such as Community Policing Forums, street committees and neighbourhood watch to look into providing elderly women who are staying on their own with whistles which they could blow to alert their neighbourhood of the threat of the scourge of rape and other crimes in their homes.
Ninety-eight year-old Betty Titse from Tloung village in Mahikeng and 11 year-old Ofentse Mogale from Mmakau were among the victims who were murdered during rape incidents in the past few months.
The Ambassadors of Goodwill Initiative is led by the South African Police Service and supported by the Office of the Premier, Office of the Status of Women, South African Women in Dialogue, Departments of Human Settlement and Public Safety, Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Education and Mahikeng Local Municipality.
Partners supporting the one million signature campaign and the Ambassadors of Goodwill Anti-Rape Project to be rolled across all districts in the province include NICSA-North West, COSATU –NW, Provincial Council on Aids, Churches, Women Prayer Groups, Provincial Council on AIDS, Motsweding FM, North West FM, All Community Radio Stations in the province.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
