The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) will be hosting a dialogue on witchcraft killings. It is the mission of the CRL Rights Commission to promote tolerance, respect and human dignity amongst the people of South Africa.
The CRL Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the experienced by people accused of witchcraft. It is unfortunatethat the people in affected areas do not claim to be witches, nor do they belong to any organisation.
The Eastern Cape and the Limpopo provinces are prevalent of human rights abuses under the pretext of culture or religion. Witchcraft is one of the matters of concern in this province. The CRL Rights commission is involved in the process on intervention strategies to prevent the unabated killings and abuse of people who are labelled as witches.
This event is strategically taking place during the Human Rights month. As this is an issue of national interest, your support in covering this newsworthy item will add much more value to our society.
The event is scheduled as follows:
Date: 30 March, 2011 (Wednesday)
Venue: Freedom Park (Pretoria)
Time: 09h00 to 13h00
Programme
Programme Director: Ms Tirhani Mabasa
Date: 30 March 2011
Venue: Freedom Park, Pretoria
08h30 to 09h00: Registration and Refreshments
09h00 to 09h10: Welcome: Dr B.Mgcina (Board member of Freedom Park)
09h10 to09h20: Opening remarks: Mrs. J. Mabale (Deputy Chairperson of CRL Commission)
09h20 to09h35: Purpose of the dialogue: Ms Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva
09h35 to 09h50: Background to witchcraft and traditional healing: Dr. B Mgcina
09h50 to 10h10: Discussions
10h10 to 10h35: The role of traditional healers in stopping the murders: Dr Martin (Commissioner: CRL Commission)
10h35 to 10h50: Discussions
10h50 to 11h00: Background to the relationship with SAPRA: Advocate PS Moreroa (CEO: CRL Commission)
11h00 to 11h15: Pagan religion and the challenges faced by the Pagans: SAPRA
11h15 to 11h30: Discussions
11h30 to11h45: Current legislation on witchcraft: Madimetja Tisana
11h45 to 12h00: Discussions
12h00 to 12h15: The “30 days of Advocacy against Witch Hunts” Campaign: SAPRA
12h15n to 12h30: Discussions
12h30 to 12h45: The Role of Government in Advocacy Against Witch Hunts: Office on the Status of Women
12h45 to 13h00: Discussions
13h00 to 13h15: Violence against Older Persons as Witches: Commission on Gender Equality
13h15 to 13h30: Partnerships and way forward: Ms Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva
Lunch and walk through Isivivane
For more information contact:
Botle Letsebe
Tel: 011 537 7625
Cell: 079 238 1485
