Programme Director, Mr Lesley Nkosi
Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Ms Susan Shabangu
Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Mr Buti Manamela
Premier of Gauteng, Mr David Makhura
MECs and MMCs
Co-Chairperson of SANAC, Ms. Steve Letsike
Chairperson of SANAC Men’s Sector, Rev. Bafana Khumalo
Chairperson of SANAC Women’s Sector, Ms Mashudu Mfomande
Co-Chairperson of the Men’s Federation, Mr. Mzwakhe Khumalo
Developmental Partners, Leaders of Business, Labour, and Civil Society
Traditional and Religious Leaders
Members of the Media
Fellow South Africans

As a son, father, and a husband, I am humbled to address the men’s sector of our country which remains united in declaring, “Not In Our Name.”

This is a crucial on-going campaign which requires all of us to support its noble objectives of humanising and normalising our society which reflects unacceptably high levels of violence by men directed at women and children.

Our men’s sector is clear that husbands who exploit and abuse their wives are not a reflection of them. Our sons in this sector say that their peers who violate women and cause them indignity are not their true friends.

Like all of us, they are appalled to learn about sexual abuse of vulnerable girl children by fellow pupils and teachers. This sector is a necessary voice which deplores and mobilise society against violence and hate crimes directed at gays and lesbians.

It is men in this sector who insist that the perpetuation of unequal power relations between men and women in the home, at schools and at work must not be vindicated in the name of men. We are proud that such men are not sitting on the fence and folding their arms when our children are destroyed by a life of crime, substance abuse, and the scourge of drugs.

These are men who are re-socialising children in their homes and communities on the values we aspire for our nation. They are educating children that manhood is not defined by vice, disrespect for women’s bodies, and conspicuous consumption, but by hard-work, kindness and service to humanity. They do not denounce teens for falling pregnant, but demand that boys and men must equally take responsibility for their actions.

They do not reject our children who are involved in crime, but are there to assist them mend their ways through counselling, role-modelling, and affording them a second chance in life. Far from being saints, what distinguishes them from others is that they are honest with themselves to recognise that they have weaknesses to overcome to be better members of the human family.

They are engaged in daily efforts not only to condemn gender-based violence, but are active in implementing programmes designed to rid our society of the iniquities of patriarchy and the suffering faced by women and children.

Today, the Men’s Sector is calling upon all South Africans to rally behind the call and campaign,   “Takuwani Riime” which is aimed at institutionalising a proactive and responsive men’s movement. “Takuwani Riime!”  is a clarion call to action for men by men to stand up and be counted as agents in the continuing struggle to cultivate a humane culture based  on values of care, support, and respect between men and women.

As part of the campaign, today we are launching the draft South African Men’s Charter. This draft Charter seeks to further rekindle the consciousness of men so that they can awaken to their role and responsibilities in their homes and communities. It is offers insights on how men can actively participate in our national programme for gender equality and the total emancipation of women.

The Men’s Charter carries the seed of a vision where men are active community builders who support and encourage the development and success of women in society. In it, we see men partnering with women and reclaiming their role as family builders who nurture, educate, provide, and protect their families and communities.

It addresses men as individuals and as groups in their interpersonal relationships, social networks, communities and institutions. This draft Men’s Charter proposes important guidelines on the psychosocial response of men on issues of cohesion based on social inclusion, safety, and justice.

This draft will be disseminated to communities for extensive consultation, and it is hoped that the final Men’s Charter will be adopted in November next year during International Men’s Day.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is not by coincidence that the men of South Africa are gathered here in the Women’s Jail, at the Constitution Hill to partake in the Men’s Round Table Dialogue to advance partnerships for development. The Women’s Jail is a living national memory site that captures the stories of many women who constituted the vanguard of our struggle for justice, equality, and dignity.

Among the women who were incarcarated here are Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Maggie Resha, Ester Bars, Fatima Meer, Albertina Sisulu and Barbara Hogan. We dare not forget the supreme sacrifice that such women and millions from the cities, townships and the rural hinterland paid for our freedom and dignity.

Our Constitutional Court at this precinct continues to guarantee that the atrocities and human rights violations of the past have no place in a country whose foundation is the rule of law and rule under law. Built from the rubbles of the notorious old Fort Prison, our internationally acclaimed Constitutional Court continues to safeguard the right to human dignity which is enshrined in our Bill of Rights. Courts, no matter how effective and responsive they may be, they remain largely our last resorts to resolve societal discord and conflicts.

It remains, therefore, our collective responsibility that we destroy structural violence and eradicate sexism not only in the public and private sectors, but also in our homes. The Men’s social movement brings to our nation the clarity, focus, and impetus which is urgently needed to construct a new society founded on human dignity, fairness, and peace.

Today, together with our developmental partners, civil society, government, business and labour we seek to strengthen the coordination and capacity of the men’s civil society movement in the country’s response to the social challenges faced by our communities.

The Men’s Round Table Dialogue  provides a platform for us to engage on issues regarding organisational development, skills development, leadership and long term sustainability of the men’s movement responses and campaigns. It is an opportunity to institutionalise the movement and to entrench it as a dynamic programme fortified by appropriate attitudes, knowledge, skills, and infrastructure.

In order for our country to achieve prosperity and development, men must be at the forefront of the fight against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. We are indeed pleased with the involvement of the men’s sector in campaigns like the Men’s Health Screening, which is part of the HIV Counselling and Testing campaign.

We are also encouraged to know that the Men’s Sector is playing its part in the 365 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. We also wish to congratulate the men’s sector for its decision to launch the South African Men of the Year Awards.

I call upon our nation to support these Awards which seek to encourage men to excel in their contribution towards building a cohesive, winning nation that values and supports its women.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Each one of us has a critical role to play in the battle against sexism, abuse and violence against women and children, diseases, hunger, and poverty. It is a battle that all women and men of our country must win working together. It requires unremitting effort and continuous building of trust from all of us.

As I conclude, I would like us to recall the enduring words of the late Samora Machel in 1973 which displayed his conviction that the main objective of a revolution was to destroy the system of exploitation of man by man, and of woman by man.

The Frelimo leader said:

The liberation of women is not an act of charity. It is not the result of a humanitarian or compassionate position. It is a fundamental necessity for the Revolution, a guarantee of its continuity, and a condition for its success.

Our country will never be truly free until all our women are fully emancipated from the degradation of poverty, the indignity of sexism and patriarchy, and the endemic violence daily experienced by them and our children.

As the Men Sector we say Takuwani Riime!

Together we move South Africa forward.

I thank you.