1 August 2001
Master of Ceremonies,
Generals and Senior Officers of the SANDF
Staff and Graduates of the CAT,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour for me to be given this opportunity to participate in this historic occasion of the graduation of 50 members from the Bokamoso Life Centre, a project that focuses specifically on the most vulnerable members of our youth, who are located in the surrounding areas of Winterveldt, Garankuwa and Soshanguve.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the youth have always been one of the finest assets of our nation throughout the entire history of our country. We dare not forget that today we are free and are enjoying the fruits of seven years of our democracy, thanks to the supreme sacrifices that the youth of this country made. They defied death, imprisonment, torture, exile, maiming and all the atrocious wrath that the then apartheid machinery unleashed; so that me and you can walk tall as free citizens and become part of the free world community of nations.
This graduation ceremony is made even more significant by the fact that even it comes at a critical time in the history of our country. A time when the government is working hard to ensure that democracy is further strengthened and a better life for all is created through the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy and the Urban Renewal Strategy.
Over the past seven of our democracy, the ANC - led government has developed numerous policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life for all our people. These include the acceleration of delivery of services such as access education, health, recreation, water, electricity, land distribution, social grants etc.
These have resulted in the betterment of the lives of millions of the people especially the poorest of the poor located in the rural area. As government in general and the Department of Social Development in particular, we are very much aware that our democracy and commitment to human rights will not have any meaning unless it touches the lives of the poor particularly the youth even more.
It is in this context that the DSD provided three million Rands to partner with the Tumelong diocese of Pretoria Mission for Community Development which is engaged in the overall development of the children , youth, women, victims of HIV/AIDS and the elderly. This is an integrated and holistic development project that includes the following:
This particular project remains unique and is perhaps a model of excellence in many ways than one. The DSD, the SANDF Service Corps, the Bokamoso Life Centre, the private sector, the religious community, the international donors and the entire community of Winterveldt are today, with this graduation celebrating the victory of partnership in action.
We are today very excited that through this integrated partnership development approach, the graduates will immediately start textile production with a guaranteed market of Standard Bank. Thanks to the Clothing Textile and Uniform, a tender as granted which will provide an immediate market.
Today SA is experiencing high rates of crime, unemployment and other social ills. It is the youth who bare the main brunt. Many of our children complete their education but not find jobs thereafter. Thousands are now roaming the streets looking for jobs.
This project is a practical demonstration that if we plan and work together, as business the government, FBO, and civil society and most importantly the communities we can the current pertaining situation around.
Last year I undertook the visit to poor communities throughout the country, especially the rural areas. I saw it with my own eyes what devastation poverty and HIV /AIDS and other communicable diseases were doing to our people especially the children and the youth. I became convinced more than ever before that the challenge to deal with al the social ills not in government alone. It needs all of us to work together. I am heartened to say that some business entities like Standard bank, the FCB, SAAMBOU, AngloGold, have responded positively.
Steady but surely they are bringing back hope where there was none. They are touching positively the lives of children with disabilities, orphans from this killer disease HIV/AIDS and many other vulnerable groups of our society. I implore all those who have not yet done so to join hands with us and be counted.
Now that we have finally overcome the under- expenditure of poverty alleviation we are moving towards new programmes aimed at impacting on poverty and HIV/AIDS even more meaningfully.
Over the next three years, 283 million Rands have been allocate for poverty alleviation and will be used in the following programmes:
Highlight the seven objectives of poverty alleviation We urge the youth, women and the elderly persons to be involved and develop business plans to access these funds and services which willl be distributed in all the provinces.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we move towards August Ninth, National Women's Day, we must think of best ways and means protecting and promoting the rights of women. Women are the bedrock of the nation and the backbone of the family. We must ensure that we play a role in their entrenching their rights and equality at home, in schools, religious institutions, in fact, in all facets of our lives. We can only build a strong nation when we build strong families. This requires persistent promotion of the culture of respect for the rights of women, children and the youth. A nation that does not take care of its youth and children is a nation doomed to fail. We dare not do that.
Ladies and Gentlemen, statistics reveal that no less than 300 000 children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This figure could reach even 1 million if we do not take drastic action to reverse. We need to work together to redress this situation. I urge our entire society to work closely more than ever before in caring for the most vulnerable children especially orphans and child - headed families.
Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
Contact: Mbulelo Musi at 0836025795