Following the recent spate of rapes of senior citizens, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government has set-up, for the first time, a forum where elders will engage with the youth and share ideas on how to end this disgusting social menace.
The intention of this forum is to understand and unpack the dynamics which lead to this unacceptable criminal acts and unbecoming behaviour. The strategic objective of this interaction is to develop mechanisms to protect elders in the communities and put an end to this scourge.
At the end of this one day forum, to be held at uMdoni Municipality, it is envisaged that a clear programme of action will have been developed for the youth in the province to embark on an intensive campaign to protect elders and, indeed, to voice out their anger over the scourge of rape in the province.
This initiative, which is a milestone, is one of the practical actions by the KZN government to lead the fight against social ills, restoring ubuntu and to nurture young boys to protect elders and young women. This will be done through a robust dialogue between senior citizens, young people and police in KwaCele, outside Scottburgh, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. It will be held under the provincial flagship programme, namely Mazibuye Emasisweni.
This programme will be launched in one of the areas which have experienced incidents of rape and abuse. This will be in line with the rolling-out of a campaign to fight crime in the area and to mobilise communities in the fight against crime and moral decline.
KwaZulu-Natal MECs for Social Development, Mrs Weziwe Thusi and for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, House of Traditional Leaders and religious leaders, will participate in this programme.
Details of the launch are as following:
Date: Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Time: 10h00
Venue: Mgwempisi Sports Grounds, Kwa-Cele
All media houses are invited to attend.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
E-mail: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5155
Vukani Mbhele
Cell: 083 307 8964
