Closing remarks on the occasion of Conversations with Young Men by Deputy Minister of Police, Honourable Cassel Mathale on 23 June 2023
Programme Directors:
Acting National Commissioner: Gen TC Mosikili
Provincial Commissioners
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Free State: Gen SinghRepresentatives of the Civilian Secretariat for Police
National Youth Crime Prevention Committee
Provincial Youth Crime Prevention Desks
Community Police Forum
Our Partner Labour organisations (SAPU and POPCRU)
Spiritual Crime Prevention Coordinator
Partner Government Departments
Student Formations
Religious and Morale Regeneration Movement
Traditional and Leaders present
Distinguished guests;
Allow me to observe all protocol in case I may have omitted to acknowledge any one.
Rest assured that it is not due to disrespect or trivialisation of your role or importance. We value each and every one of our stakeholders and partners present here today.
Ladies and gentlemen; May I take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of Minister Bheki Cele for not being able to be part of this important occasion. He had every intention to attend but circumstances did not allow. I also apologise for only joining this important occasion at its tail end. It was due to other work demands that could not be postponed, but I knew you would be in the capable hands of the senior officials of the Department and the entire organising team. Those who have worked with me before would know that I usually prefer starting with such events from the beginning and staying the course to the end, unfortunately it was not to be this time around. I am nevertheless happy that I am here today and have had an opportunity to listen to the recap and the resolutions of your previous two days’ deliberations.
Let me also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the stakeholders and partners for taking the decision to join hands with us in dealing with one of the most pervasive pandemics engulfing our Country and some Countries of the world, Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F). Your visionary attitude is highly appreciated.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is befitting that a decision was taken to have this conversation with young men during this month of June as we commemorate and celebrate the 47th year of the bravery of the youth of 1976 - the youth who’s blood and strive laid the foundation of the democracy we enjoy today.
It is unfortunate that we are commemorating this determined and resolute youth of 1976 (Amadelakufa) within the backdrop of the heightened resurgence of GBV&F incidents against our women and children. These incidents are truly threatening the very fibre of the democracy that many young people in 1976 and the subsequent years died for. As our National icon and erstwhile President Nelson Mandela proclaimed in Parliament in 1994 at the dawn of our democracy that “Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression”, we can never claim to be free for as long as the women of South Africa live in fear of falling victim of GBV&F. This is the worst form of oppression against our women, children and vulnerable groups.
Programme Director; 47 years ago we saw the youth of South Africa demonstrating resilience, courage, bravery and fearlessness against the apartheid regime. We saw these young people consciously, unarmed yet firmly standing up against the brutality of the system that showered them with live ammunition, teargas and sjamboks. It was a sad but courageous moment in our history indeed.
Since the dawn of our democracy, we consciously declared the month of June as a time to commemorate and celebrate our young sung and unsung heroes and heroines who lost their lives in the streets of Soweto, Gugulethu, Seshego, Upington, Mitchell’s Plein, Mafikeng, Chartsworth and in all other townships of our country. We remember the slogans chanted, such as “Freedom in our Lifetime”, as they charged towards heavily armed agents of the oppressive system. These young people were brave enough to say- “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”.
Today, as I reflect on the current scourge of GBV&F and other forms of violence against all the vulnerable groups, especially women and children, I can’t help but think… ‘Is this what the Youth of 1976 and subsequent years gave their lives for’? IT CANNOT BE!!!
These young people brought us democracy, they fought for a better life for all, and they stood against a system that reduced our people to nothing more than modern day slaves. We therefore owe it to them to ensure that the fruits of their sweat, blood and lives are realised in this lifetime.
I must say, however, that the action plan presented here today shows that you applied your mind to possible solutions to our challenges in relation to the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, which are predominantly perpetuated by us, men.
It is crucial that we all ensure that our women, children and all other vulnerable groups enjoy all human rights and have access to justice in accordance with our founding values as derived from the Freedom Charter and enshrined in our Constitution.
Ladies and Gentlemen; despite all the gains made in various areas of empowerment of women, the South African reality is that femicide and Gender based Violence are (and continue to be) a serious challenge engulfing our society, it remains one of the most worrisome forms of human rights violations within our society and continues to prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential. It is an obstacle to women living dignified lives, free from fear.
In recognition thereof, the South African Government has declared war against this growing scourge and as the Department of Police we have put in place a variety of mechanisms to prevent and combat GBV&F, which I believe have been shared with you during this session and previously in different platforms. The reality is that without the involvement of civil society and all other stakeholders, we are fighting a losing battle. This is a battle that requires all of us to be involved.
It is with this in mind that I took a decision that despite my tightly packed schedule, I was going to make time to be part of this conversation today.
I have always held that, regardless of all the positive interventions that we have embarked on as Government and the Country, there are always a few important pieces of the puzzle we are still missing.
The first being changing the perpetrators’ mind sets (Who unfortunately happen to be predominantly men and many of whom are young men). I am a staunch believer of the notion that no one is born a rapist, an abuser or a criminal, it is a learnt behaviour influenced by a number of factors that I believe were thoroughly interrogated during this session.
The second missing piece being the vibrant progressive voice of the youth, especially young men. The youth of today owe it to the youth of the 70’s and 80’s to take forth the baton and continue the fight for the true emancipation of our women, children and other vulnerable groups. It is your turn to stand up and say: “Not in our Name!!!!!”
“Hands off our Women and Children”
“Enough is enough”.
As I mentioned earlier, there are various efforts that have been put in place by government, government entities, organised labour, the academia, youth formations and so on. However all these efforts are in vain if you, future fathers of the nation are not on board? In fact all these efforts must be driven by you.
As I conclude, I’d like to reiterate that as society we cannot completely rely on the justice system because our interventions come after the fact, it is only after the crime has been committed and reported that the justice system gets involved, while you (young men and all stakeholders participating here today) have the potential of reducing or actually eliminating the occurrence of this disgraceful crime in the first place.
You have an opportunity to rewire the community’ and individuals’ mind-sets. You have the opportunity to assist in shaping a boy child’s perspective and thereby creating an honourable man who will respect women, treat them as equals and ensure he becomes part of the solution in ending GBV and Femicide.
We all need to consciously and deliberately groom a generation of men who will treat women with dignity, love and respect.
Today’s youth is the next generation of adults and leaders.
Having listened to the reflections of the proceedings that took place in the past two days, I am positive that we are on the right track. If we can take at least half of the deliberations and recommendations hereof – we will make a difference and we will all ensure a brighter future for the generations to come.
Finally, I’d like to implore Provincial Commissioners in partnership with Provincial Youth Desks to replicate this approach in Provinces, Districts and stations to reach more young men out there.
I thank you
