National cohesion against gender-based violence and child abuse kicks off in Estcourt

Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality was honoured to have KwaZulu-Natal Acting Premier MEC Nomsa Dube visit recently.

ALSO SEE: Desperate plea for service delivery goes unanswered

Ms Dube is also the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs in the province.  November 25 marks the beginning of the ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign, this time rooting for national cohesion against gender-based violence and child abuse.

This year, Ms Dube launched and is also championing the ‘Spend Wisely’ campaign that targets consumers, urging them to refrain from the rush and stampedes during ‘Black Friday fever’.

Attendees were further cautioned not to make decisions that will push them into debt through unplanned loan applications caused by this shopping frenzy.

The MEC was accompanied by uThukela District Municipality Mayor SE Mazibuko, Okhahlamba Local Municipality Mayor M Ndlangisa, Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor JM Mbele, Speaker SE Mdakane, the chief whip, councillors and Inkosi Sithole (chairperson of the District Traditional Leadership Council) from eMnambithi, along with Inkosi X Mazibuko (Amangwe Traditional Authority).

The ‘Spend Wisely’ campaign resulted in the MEC and her team identifying a store owned by an illegal foreign national. Expired products dated March 2011 were confiscated and the shop closed immediately, while the illegal immigrants were taken into custody.

The next stop saw a special visit to the Injisuthi Clinic to monitor the state of the clinic and note the issues.  The second session of the programme was held at the Injisuthi sports ground, where the leadership addressed scores of community members.

Mr Sboniso Mtshali (MPL in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature) addressed the people on behalf of the MEC, saying,

“The staging of this campaign is done simply because the problem of violence against women and children continues in society almost every day. Our streets and other public spaces have become unsafe for women and children, and have also become hunting grounds for human trafficking criminals and drug peddlers.”

He urged communities to remain alert to abuse and violence against women and children. Mrs Mbele thanked the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs for choosing the Inkosi Langalibalele municipal area for the launch and added that,

“The campaign was not only aimed at raising awareness around the rights of women and girls, but also at changing the attitudes of men and boys. Say no violence against women and children. Enough is enough.”

ALSO SEE: MM provides update on pothole patching and gutter clean-up

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter