What could the world be if every day was to be a Mandela Day? Everyone of us will certainly make a difference in our society, by giving back to the needy and the less fortunate.
The great man of our time Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who dedicated 67 years of his life fighting for the right of humanity had a vision of a democratic state, did exactly the same in over six decades. Only an extra ordinary human being is capable of such, but it is also a testimony that it can be done, that nothing is impossible with the right attitude.
Through volunteerism the face of the world can change. It is time to stop pointing fingers, but rather be part of the solution, particularly in the fight against crime. It is not possible that from so much hurt, a greater and better humanity cannot emerge, only if we freely give part of our spare time, to rephrase a statement by Charles de Gaulle. Community participation continues to play a vital role in the fight against crime in our communities.
Programmes and projects that are led and owned by community members still remain the best bet in combating crime in our daily lives. Community mobilization therefore becomes an important element to encourage maximum participation in crime prevention. However it is important to channel the willingness that people have to do something about crime in a constructive and practical manner to realise social cohesion in our communities.
The Mandela Day Campaign regenerates the spirit of volunteerism, it is a call for individuals to take responsibility and change the world into a better place, one small step at a time, and just like the former president did. Volunteering entails giving time, energy and skills in aid of a course. Any person who expends his/her time, energy and other resources as a volunteer is doing so willingly without any expectations of remuneration in return. This is also applicable to the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, which has various volunteers to assist the department in realizing its primary objectives, thus ensuring that Gauteng becomes a safer and secure province. These volunteers range from your Community Safety Patrollers, Men as Safety Promoters, Labour Sector, Faith Based Sector, Indunas, Community Policing Forum, Promoters, Youth Desks, volunteers at the Victim Empowerment Centres, to name the few. These are men and women who are giving back to their communities by dedicating their time, skills which could have otherwise being focused on other things. They all have a vision of eradicating crime in our street in a bid to ensure that Gauteng is a safer province.
To name just one, initiatives such as Men as Safety Promoters has yielded progressive results, 162 Men as Safety Promoters groups has been established to date and additional 100 groups during 2013/14 financial year. These are men that seek to contribute to the reduction of violence against women and children and the impact that it has on men in order to promote a violence free society for vulnerable groups. This amongst other things will ensure that we breed a society that encourages men to take their rightful place in society, that of being protectors.
The scourge of domestic violence in our society continues to be appalling, despite departmental interventions and of other departments alike. The past financial year the department has trained 585 volunteers and community structures that offer victim support for domestic and sexual violence. If each household can have at least one volunteer in any organisation or community structure, it can take our country to greater heights.
A true patriot poses the quality of a volunteer and exhibits professionalism, accountability, dedication and people-centred in executing allocated tasks without expecting any pay cheque at the end of the month. If all of us can adopt the same paradigm and walk the same path as Tata Madiba, the world will certainly be a better place. Take charge whether its supporting a charity of your choice or serving your local community in any way, take part and make that small difference.
Let us make every day a Mandela day
Sizakele – Nkosi Malobane MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng
