Programme Director
Deputy National Commissioner, General Mbekela
Principals of all respective schools
Men and women in blue of all ranks
Learners
Ladies and gentlemen
A very good morning to each and every one of you present today. The South African Police Service is very proud to be among other government departments who take seriously an initiative that can touch and change someone’s life.
I would like to believe that Cell C is aware of our reasons to embark on this event today, being very conscious of the fact that this project is their brainchild and their official national event celebrated in May each year. Under the theme ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’ let us know that indeed it is up to us to pursue our destinies. A key pillar of this intervention is “Each one, grow one” where each one of us is given a challenge to assist and hold the hand of the girl child. It is this kind of intervention that is designed to ensure that transformation is owned and driven by all.
Words of wisdom in Sepedi captures this well - Rutang bana ditaola le se ye nato badimong. Translated it means teach the children, share the knowledge, do not be selfish and die without teaching them , mentor and coach them when time still permits.
Let me take this opportunity today to congratulate Cell C on the noble and novel Take –a- girl child to work initiative they started a few years ago. It is a sunshine story that has permanently changed the landscape for the girl child in South Africa. The national and global recognition of this ground-breaking collective volunteer initiative should be celebrated by us all. Life is full of opportunities to be celebrated and we should not miss this one.
The celebration of the success of the Cell C take a girl child to work is much more significant in 2014 as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of our new found democracy. Today in our country, South Africa, everyone is equal before the law and may not be discriminated against. Today in my beautiful Mzanzi South Africa I know for sure that as a woman, as a girl, we have a place in the sun. The table is set for us and we should rise up to the challenge and take up the opportunities.
The South African Police Service is keen to be part of such a remarkable initiative. Children in this country live in a society with a Constitution that has the highest regard for children’s rights and for the equality and dignity of every human being. Since its inception, this project has exposed learners to other areas of the SAPS that they were not aware of. Many of them were fascinated to learn that the SAPS offers careers such as finance, aviation, forensics, journalism, legal services, psychological services and many more. I hope you will leave here with a positive mindset and be inspired and eager to achieve your goals.
As I speak to you, young ladies, value the opportunities presented to you, believe you can do it, regardless of the current challenges you may be facing. North of our country on the same continent, girls your age are being held hostage, deprived of being children, deprived of being able to learn and study. Little do we know the fear and the pain they are going through as we speak. In our thoughts and prayers let us remember them. If there’s anything that you need to remember when all is said and done, young pupils, learners, future leaders, please ‘Dream, Believe and Achieve’. Talk to these employees, have a role model, have a mentor and remain inspired.
I wish to highlight some of the significant items that need to be included in the woman’s life toolkit:
Become a nurturer
Through nurturing women create a world where children can grow to become responsible assets to society; adults who care; who have compassion and love for all. Nurturing is natural to us as women, embrace the talent and grow it. I continue to derive massive benefit from this God given Attribute. As you prepare to receive the leadership baton, keep nurturing in the toolkit and remember to use it throughout your life.
Thuto ke kotse – education is our shield
“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine-worker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” Nelson Mandela.
The wise Ghanaian saying that if you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate the nation.
We encourage all our young girls to hold on to education, let education be melody to your ears.
Take it upon yourself to ensure that you receive the highest education possible so that you can represent us well in future as future leaders.”
Believe in yourself
If you do, your dreams will come through.
You are a princess of the rainbow nation, believe that you can change the world with what you think and do. Know that you are a valued citizen that can ably contribute to the success of your country, your continent and the world.
Be accountable
Girl child, be accountable. Your actions each little thing you do… whatever you do face the results. You are the future. Respect your parents and everybody around you so that you will earn respect too. Know that whatever you sow you shall reap.
Your choices and your choices only determine your destination. Consider your choices and make them wisely
Commit yourself
When you commit yourself the result is often sweet success.
‘You can’ – a lot is possible
A teacher got into a class one day and requested the class to note those things they cannot do. The children filled lots of pages about what they cannot do. The teacher asked the children to repeat the same exercise and note things they can do. The children struggled a great deal to note the things they can do let to fill the number of pages they did when identifying what they cannot do. The teacher organized a ceremony where the children dug a whole and they symbolically buried all the cant notes.
In your tool kit for survival makes sure that “I can” is neatly packed.
In Sepedi there is a wise saying that says; Moithuti ga se makgona, makgona ke maboeleta meaning Try and fail but never fail to try.
I shall not forget to mention the fact the focus is deliberately on the girl child, the boy child is equally important. Remember therefore that your toolkit should always remember that ‘the man may be the stone, but the woman is mortar that binds the foundations. Without either the structure crumbles; together were are powerful beyond measure’ wise words of Bridgette Radebe.
Remember; do not ever be wary as a leader to express your womanhood it often defines the true value of your leadership.
Faced with opportunity arrest the moment, attack with enthusiasm, embrace it with passion, it will gather momentum and snowball into something great. For success does not come easy or overnight. The recipe is simple;
- Hard work
- Tenacity of spirit
- Believing in your dreams
Tloga, tloga e tloga kgale, modia wa kgomo o twa nayo akeng. Development and investment in one’s success can by no means be things we postpone for the future, to conquer your aspirations and ambitions start today and now.
Later on today, we will also be embarking on our campaign for Child Protection Week at Olivenhoutbosch.
The protection of children from violence, exploitation and abuse is not only a basic value, but also an obligation as clearly set out in our Constitution. Therefore, the campaign is very important as it reminds each and every citizen that our children’s well-being and upbringing are not just the responsibility of their parents, guardians and the SAPS, but that it is the business of each and every citizen.
The aim of child protection is to ensure the safety, well-being, care and protection of children through an integrated multidisciplinary approach. Despite the best efforts of the South African Government and society to protect children from child abuse, neglect and exploitation, many children still remain vulnerable. Reducing the high levels of violence against children is among South Africa’s most overwhelming tasks. Despite the country’s progressive child protection laws, policies and programmes preventing and addressing violence against children, it remains a major challenge. The phenomenon of child-headed households remains a disturbing trend in our country.
The extremely rapid rate, at which children become orphaned and destitute, makes it difficult for families and communities to respond in the traditional manner of including these children in extended families. The situation has led to the emergence of a new form of family structure: A household headed by one of the affected children, or simply called a child-headed household (CHH).
The phenomenon of CHH is complex and multifaceted. It impacts on the societal framework and has profound implications for the well-being of children and the realisation of their rights. It disrupts the functioning of families and communities and affects the rearing and development of children. Young ladies, never forget to Dream Believe and Achieve!
Thank you.
