Date: 24/02/05
Source: Ministry of Correctional Services
Title: N Balfour: Contributions made towards 16 Days of Activism for no violence against ...
Address by the Minister of Correctional Services, Mr BMN Balfour, MP, on the occasion of the function acknowledging contributions made towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign Held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand
24 February 2005
Programme Director Deputy Ministers Gillwald, Gigaba and Botha Your Excellencies, Ambassadorial Representatives Members of Executive Councils Representatives of the National House of Traditional Leaders Representatives of Provincial and Local Governments Representatives of the Private Sector, NGOs Volunteers and Media Representatives Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen
While this occasion gives us an opportunity to acknowledge all contributions made during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, it is also a celebration of the commitment of ordinary men and women to fulfilling our responsibilities, duties and obligations imposed upon us by our country’s constitution.
But even more than it being a celebration, it is also an opportune time for us to reflect on the need for such a campaign during which matters relating to violence against women and children are highlighted. Two of the most vulnerable groups of people in our country are children and women; yet they must be numbered amongst the most protected. There is an expression in Afrikaans which says that “Ons kinders is ons rykdom” – our children are our wealth! I have three children and they are all females; and yes, I can confirm that they are my wealth. I will go to any lengths to protect and ensure their interests. In a real sense, my three daughters make up a part of the crown jewels of our country. Our children represent our future as a people and without them, there will be nothing. There would be no tomorrow. There would be no wealth for the nation.
Yet, day after day, we are confronted with horror stories of violence being perpetrated against our youth. We are confronted with the realities of violence in our homes, our schools, our streets and even in our places of worship and sanctuary. Why do we as a people self-destruct? Do we not recognize the wealth that we hold in our hands?
The fact that there is a need for campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism Campaign internationally is indicative of the depths of the challenges that we face globally. It is not military or chemical warfare that will lead to our destruction as human beings. Nor is it poverty, disease or natural disasters. It is how we relate to each other. It is how we view the position and role of every being in society and our responses to it that will determine our fate as a people. There is no worse enemy than ourselves.
As a country, we started participating in the international campaign of No Violence Against Women in 1996. We extended this to include our children and as we approach our ninth year of involvement, the need for this campaign appears to be no less than when we started. In fact, the growing opinion is that 16 days of awareness must be converted into 365 days of committed activism.
It is an indictment on all of us – men, women and children – that we must use so much resources not to develop our country but to address social evils such as violence, both physical and mental, against the most vulnerable in our ranks. The reality, of course, is that there remains a need for such a campaign and it is due to the involvement of noble people such as yourselves that there is an increased awareness taking hold in our communities about the need to deal with the scourge of violence.
The highest office in the land, the Presidency, under the guidance and leadership of the Honourable President Thabo Mbeki, has taken the lead in this campaign. The President has emphasised the importance of living the 16 Days of Activism Campaign every day of our lives. There can be no greater reward for us as a people if we heed this call and, as a consequence, succeed in greatly reducing the volume of incidents of violence perpetrated in our communities.
On behalf of every child, woman and man, I want to express our appreciation to the President for leading from the front.
I have been most fortunate to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the 2004 campaign as the Department of Correctional Services was appointed as the coordinating department. Our Deputy Minister has lived, breathed and some would even say, suffered for this campaign. While she would be the first one to immediately point out that the Campaign is owned by all South Africans and that she is but a cog in the overall machinery, I want to acknowledge the passion and the commitment that she displayed in the coordination and execution of the campaign.
I find myself in an extremely difficult position this evening. How do I thank people and organisations for doing what is expected of every human being? How do I say thank you for contributing towards ensuring that children and women are not hurt physically, mentally, emotionally and socially? But this is what must be done as the reality is that each one of you have picked up the cudgels on behalf of the most vulnerable in society.
From government, to business, to civil society – everyone has played a significant part in what is a significant campaign. Ordinary South Africans have embraced this campaign. Our leaders at all tiers of government, in communities, in religious bodies, in NGOs, in business, in social groups such as sports clubs, have all combined their efforts in leading by example. We are most grateful that you have owned this campaign.
I have been especially impressed by the huge numbers of ordinary South Africans who have come forward as volunteers in the campaign. I remember the early-morning postcard campaign launch at a post office, when working mothers and fathers attended because it was important for them to do so. The countless gatherings, meetings and rallies brought tens of thousands of South Africans together, all driven by a common desire to drive our propensity for violence out from within us.
While this was not a campaign dominated by any one sector of society, I want to especially mention the media and business as two important stakeholders in the campaign.
Your contributions have been invaluable and of course, while it does serve your interests to be involved in such campaigns, you have nevertheless nailed your colours to the mast through your contributions at all levels.
To all the backroom workers; those behind the scenes, driving this campaign, on behalf of all of those who have escaped the effects of violence – a big thank you.
This evening would be well served if we also adopt it as the start of the next phase of our campaign. There can be no letting up on this. We cannot be patting ourselves on the back and declare the innings closed. The batting is yet to pick up in momentum. The target is not yet in sight. There is no prospect that poor light or inclement weather will bring the innings to a halt. We must be on a roll. We have 365 days to bat with 16 of it set aside to shine in brilliance. Let us not give up. Let it be sixteen days of batting that will place us apart from the rest.
I thank you all.
Issued by: Ministry of Correctional Services
24 February 2005
Source: Ministry of Correctional Services
Title: N Balfour: Contributions made towards 16 Days of Activism for no violence against ...
Address by the Minister of Correctional Services, Mr BMN Balfour, MP, on the occasion of the function acknowledging contributions made towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign Held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand
24 February 2005
Programme Director Deputy Ministers Gillwald, Gigaba and Botha Your Excellencies, Ambassadorial Representatives Members of Executive Councils Representatives of the National House of Traditional Leaders Representatives of Provincial and Local Governments Representatives of the Private Sector, NGOs Volunteers and Media Representatives Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen
While this occasion gives us an opportunity to acknowledge all contributions made during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, it is also a celebration of the commitment of ordinary men and women to fulfilling our responsibilities, duties and obligations imposed upon us by our country’s constitution.
But even more than it being a celebration, it is also an opportune time for us to reflect on the need for such a campaign during which matters relating to violence against women and children are highlighted. Two of the most vulnerable groups of people in our country are children and women; yet they must be numbered amongst the most protected. There is an expression in Afrikaans which says that “Ons kinders is ons rykdom” – our children are our wealth! I have three children and they are all females; and yes, I can confirm that they are my wealth. I will go to any lengths to protect and ensure their interests. In a real sense, my three daughters make up a part of the crown jewels of our country. Our children represent our future as a people and without them, there will be nothing. There would be no tomorrow. There would be no wealth for the nation.
Yet, day after day, we are confronted with horror stories of violence being perpetrated against our youth. We are confronted with the realities of violence in our homes, our schools, our streets and even in our places of worship and sanctuary. Why do we as a people self-destruct? Do we not recognize the wealth that we hold in our hands?
The fact that there is a need for campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism Campaign internationally is indicative of the depths of the challenges that we face globally. It is not military or chemical warfare that will lead to our destruction as human beings. Nor is it poverty, disease or natural disasters. It is how we relate to each other. It is how we view the position and role of every being in society and our responses to it that will determine our fate as a people. There is no worse enemy than ourselves.
As a country, we started participating in the international campaign of No Violence Against Women in 1996. We extended this to include our children and as we approach our ninth year of involvement, the need for this campaign appears to be no less than when we started. In fact, the growing opinion is that 16 days of awareness must be converted into 365 days of committed activism.
It is an indictment on all of us – men, women and children – that we must use so much resources not to develop our country but to address social evils such as violence, both physical and mental, against the most vulnerable in our ranks. The reality, of course, is that there remains a need for such a campaign and it is due to the involvement of noble people such as yourselves that there is an increased awareness taking hold in our communities about the need to deal with the scourge of violence.
The highest office in the land, the Presidency, under the guidance and leadership of the Honourable President Thabo Mbeki, has taken the lead in this campaign. The President has emphasised the importance of living the 16 Days of Activism Campaign every day of our lives. There can be no greater reward for us as a people if we heed this call and, as a consequence, succeed in greatly reducing the volume of incidents of violence perpetrated in our communities.
On behalf of every child, woman and man, I want to express our appreciation to the President for leading from the front.
I have been most fortunate to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the 2004 campaign as the Department of Correctional Services was appointed as the coordinating department. Our Deputy Minister has lived, breathed and some would even say, suffered for this campaign. While she would be the first one to immediately point out that the Campaign is owned by all South Africans and that she is but a cog in the overall machinery, I want to acknowledge the passion and the commitment that she displayed in the coordination and execution of the campaign.
I find myself in an extremely difficult position this evening. How do I thank people and organisations for doing what is expected of every human being? How do I say thank you for contributing towards ensuring that children and women are not hurt physically, mentally, emotionally and socially? But this is what must be done as the reality is that each one of you have picked up the cudgels on behalf of the most vulnerable in society.
From government, to business, to civil society – everyone has played a significant part in what is a significant campaign. Ordinary South Africans have embraced this campaign. Our leaders at all tiers of government, in communities, in religious bodies, in NGOs, in business, in social groups such as sports clubs, have all combined their efforts in leading by example. We are most grateful that you have owned this campaign.
I have been especially impressed by the huge numbers of ordinary South Africans who have come forward as volunteers in the campaign. I remember the early-morning postcard campaign launch at a post office, when working mothers and fathers attended because it was important for them to do so. The countless gatherings, meetings and rallies brought tens of thousands of South Africans together, all driven by a common desire to drive our propensity for violence out from within us.
While this was not a campaign dominated by any one sector of society, I want to especially mention the media and business as two important stakeholders in the campaign.
Your contributions have been invaluable and of course, while it does serve your interests to be involved in such campaigns, you have nevertheless nailed your colours to the mast through your contributions at all levels.
To all the backroom workers; those behind the scenes, driving this campaign, on behalf of all of those who have escaped the effects of violence – a big thank you.
This evening would be well served if we also adopt it as the start of the next phase of our campaign. There can be no letting up on this. We cannot be patting ourselves on the back and declare the innings closed. The batting is yet to pick up in momentum. The target is not yet in sight. There is no prospect that poor light or inclement weather will bring the innings to a halt. We must be on a roll. We have 365 days to bat with 16 of it set aside to shine in brilliance. Let us not give up. Let it be sixteen days of batting that will place us apart from the rest.
I thank you all.
Issued by: Ministry of Correctional Services
24 February 2005
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