place of refuge by young girls, to escape "Ukuthwala"
Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape
6 April 2009
The Minister in the Presidency Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will on Monday, 6
April 2009, visit a hostel which is being used as a place of refuge by girls as
young as 12 years, to escape being forced into marriages, called
"ukuthwala".
"Ukuthwala" is another form of a harmful cultural practice of child
abduction, forced and early marriages, which has recently been reported in
parts of Pondoland in the Eastern Cape.
The Minister in the Presidency Dr Tshabalala-Msimang's second fact-finding
visit to the province will start with a courtesy call at Qaukeni Great Palace
in Lusikisiki at 10am, to brief King Sigcau and his counsel about child
abduction, forced and early marriages in the area and proposed interventions to
prevent further incidents of "ukuthwala".
The Minister in the Presidency will be accompanied by Minister of Public
Works Mr Geoffrey Doidge, Eastern Cape Premier Mr Sigoni, Executive Mayor of OR
Tambo Municipality Mr Capa, Councillors, the Commission for Gender Equality
(CGE), and government officials.
The delegation will then proceed to Pharmaton Hostel, which is currently
being used as a place of refuge by young girls, to escape abduction, forced and
early marriages "ukuthwala". This will be followed by the Minister in the
Presidencyâs address to the community including parents and affected young
girls.
Members of the media are invited to cover the briefing meeting on child
abduction, force and early marriages, the visit to the hostel and Minister's
public address, as follows:
Time: 10h00
Date: Monday, 6 April 2009
Venue: Qaukeni Great Palace, Lusikisiki
Enquiries:
Peter Moloi
Cell: 082 569 2533
David Chabalala
Cell: 082 786 8041
Geoffrey Nematenda
Cell: 082 575 0675
Issued by: The Presidency
6 April 2009
