Writes Ofentse Morwane: Head of Communications: Gauteng Department of Community Safety
More than five years since the death of the iconic former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, South Africans geared up to spend sixty-seven minutes of their day giving back to their respective communities on Thursday, 18 July 2019. That day of the year was again upon us – the International Nelson Mandela Day. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Interestingly, this year’s Mandela day is particularly symbolic as it is the 10-year anniversary of this significant initiative and coincides with the 25 years of Democracy in our country.
Isn’t it perhaps the right time to take a step back do self-introspection on whether for the past 10 years we have done justice to this initiative? Have we as a nation been living up to the principles that Nelson Mandela has set? Have we managed to rally everybody and all sectors of our society to meaningfully contribute to this noble call?
Indeed, Nelson Mandela laid a solid foundation for our democracy. Importantly, he saw himself first and foremost as a servant of South Africa’s people, to whom he felt he owed a duty, and who he led by example. When he walked out of Robben Island prison after 27 years with such dignity, nobility and forgiveness he not only created a new South Africa, he illuminated the imagination and hearts of the world.
As outlined in the State of the Province address delivered by Gauteng Premier David Makhura, on 01 July 2019 this province is riddled by humongous and serious socio-economic challenges. Twenty-five years into democracy our people still go to bed hungry and do not have a sense of where the next meal is going to come from the next day. There are serious challenges relating to basic service and quality infrastructure in some areas.
Gauteng citizens can emulate the good deeds of this greatest stateman by playing their part during Mandela day / month through partnerships for effective, sustainable, collaborative interventions. It is appropriate that as we observe Mandela month a passionate plea be made to the Gauteng citizens to participate in these activities and beyond this period by donating their time towards disadvantaged communities and inspire a positive change that promotes the culture of Ubuntu as well as humanitarian support. It is critical that we take action, inspire change and make everyday a Mandela Day. By so doing we will be making a change and creating a better tomorrow.
While we celebrate Mandela Month, it is a sad site to see serious and violent crimes remaining stubbornly high generally in South Africa and particularly in Gauteng. Some argue that most crimes are because of increasing poverty and inequality amongst Gauteng citizens. It is necessary that to deal effectively with crime, all stakeholders must come on board to play their role to curb the staggering crime rate.
As we embark on doing goodwill and helping the less fortunate, it is critical that we continue being safety ambassadors in our respective spaces. The need to help the most vulnerable, women and children has reached critical point. Communities are encouraged communities to perform acts of selflessness, giving back to those in need and in the process, make their lives better.
Mandela Month calls on us all, to make the world a better place and through our daily actions as we emulate Madiba’s ambitions for a society characterised by justice, dignity and human rights. In honouring Madiba’s legacy, Gauteng residents must join the social movement to fight against all forms of abuse at our respective homes, streets and churches. Places of safety must be strengthened in order to protect the most vulnerable such as women and children. We cannot turn a blind eye when our colleagues, comrades, leaders, churchmen and sons, husbands and uncles assault, rape, humiliate and abuse the vulnerable among us.
As the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, we will continue to make a difference in society through our various structures and initiatives. One such initiative is Ikhaya Le Themba (IKLT) based in Braamfontein and Evaton. Ikhaya Le Themba as the largest and most comprehensive one stop centre for gender based violence victims within Gauteng has assisted over 16 800 women and children since its inception in March 2003. The officials at the victim empowerment centres are trained personnel who offer professional support services to restore dignity and instilling hope to those who have been subjected to physical abuse and gross emotional turbulences.
While we continue with our programme to uplift communities by helping the most vulnerable communities in Gauteng, we will not be deterred in our quest to do goodwill as we know that in so doing we will be preserving the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Like the late President Nelson said “A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it’s lowest ones”. We call upon all Gauteng residents to lend a helping hand to the most needy and continue in the spirit of Madiba by partaking in a worthy cause no matter how big or small. Let us embrace the opportunity to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s legacy, as it gives everyone the opportunity to make an imprint and change the lives of others. Working as a collective we certainly can do better to make an impact in the lives of the less fortunate as part of the Nelson Mandela Month and beyond.
