E Molewa on social ills in State of the Province Address

13 February 2009

Remarking on issues of social ills during her State of the Province Address
on Friday, Premier Edna Molewa, indicated that the provincial government had
developed an integrated Provincial Mini Drug Master Plan.

Through this intervention, she said, three community-based organisations
dealing with substance abuse were funded and since 2005, the Ke Moja Anti-drug
Strategy was implemented in schools throughout the province and to other 24
service points.

One of the things the Premier recognised was the rapid decline of morality
in communities. She said this manifested itself in a variety of ways, including
disrespect for others, abdication of parental responsibility and the
vandalisation of public property.

“Failure to meaningfully nap this emerging social monster in the bud could
spell disaster for our democracy and the achievements of the past 15 years.

“It is for this reason that, as government, we developed a programme on
moral regeneration and social cohesion,” said Molewa.

The Premier says through this programme, the province advocates a society
free from racial prejudice, xenophobia, tribalism, other forms of intolerance
and the abuse of the elderly, disabled, women and children.

One of the successes of this programme in 2008 was the hosting of district
youth summits on moral regeneration, culminating to provincial summit, which
proved to be the right platform for young people to voice-out issues affecting
them on daily basis.

Molewa said during this gathering, without reservation, young people
committed themselves to working for a caring society and to take their
responsibilities seriously. The overall goal of the summit was to create space
for young people to evaluate the moral climate in the province.

The Premier further highlighted that a new directorate for family services
has been established, prioritising family preservation and empowerment of
victims of abuse. Currently, the state is funding three state-run victim
empowerment centres and seven civil society victim empowerment
organisations.

“Local victim empowerment forums have also been established at 21 service
points, and every year we have commemorated the 16 Days of Activism to raise
communities’ awareness on and mobilising them against violence to women and
children,” concluded Molewa.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
13 February 2009