Minister Fritz joins women on walkabout in Tafelsig | Western Cape Government

News

News

Minister Fritz joins women on walkabout in Tafelsig

10 August 2021

Yesterday, the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, joined Ward Councilor Washiela Harris, members of the local SAPS and twenty five women on a walkabout in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, as part of an extended programme for Women’s Month.

Minister Fritz said, “the month of August is a time to commemorate the twenty thousand women who sacrificed and marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, but the commemoration must be done specifically within the context of the many sacrifices and struggles which women have to make and live through today. It is a time to take stock of how far we’ve come since 1956, but also how far we still have to go on the road to empowering women in real terms.”

After the walkabout, the Minister spoke to the group about some of the specific challenges in the community, such as the stone-throwing gangs which have developed amongst young people.

Minister Fritz continued, “we must work together, through our Area-Based Teams approach, to bring all stakeholders together to find lasting solutions to these challenges. We need DOCS, SAPS, the City, the Department of Social Development, community members and all other interested parties to be involved in the solutions.”

The Department of Community Safety will furthermore also offer self-defense and first aid training to the women. In partnership with the Chrysalis Academy, workshops and sessions to deal with trauma will also be conducted with the women who offer up their time for the community.

Minister Fritz concluded, “we want to acknowledge our women and thank them for everything that they are doing in our communities. Without them; without the work that they do, very often on a voluntary basis, I am certain our society would collapse. As the Department of Community Safety, we will continue to work with our women to ensure their empowerment in real, concrete ways.”­

 

Media Enquiries: 
 

Wade Seale

Tel: 021 483 6326

Cell: 072 889 8122

Email: Wade.Seale@westerncape.gov.za