MEDIA ALERT: Minister Plato launches 16 Days of Activism campaign

MEDIA ALERT: Minister Plato attends Chrysalis Graduation in Tokai and launches 16 Days of Activism Campaign - “SPEAK OUT – BE THE VOICE OF COURAGE” in Marikana

[Note to editors: Scroll down for the full schedule of events for the Department of Community Safety’s 16 Days of Activism campaign or access the dedicated webpage here or the calendar directly here]

Tomorrow, 25 November 2016, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, will attend the graduation ceremony at the Chrysalis Academy in Tokai and later launch the Department of Community Safety’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in Marikana.

The Chrysalis Graduation in Tokai will see 193 young women graduate the rigorous three month development programme for youth at risk on Saturday. From here, they will continue their development path with a 12 month work placement opportunity, at one of the Department’s safety partners such as Municipalities, City improvement Districts, SAPS offices, Community Health Centres, Hospitals, and at the Chrysalis Academy itself.

Minister Plato says of the young graduates:

“We have great admiration for these young women. Not only did they tackle the physical challenges like hiking from Tokai to Cape Point, but I am happy to hear that they also confronted inner challenges - speaking openly for the first time about issues such as domestic violence during their counselling. I commend them for SPEAKING OUT – BEING THE VOICE OF COURAGE. I want to challenge the graduates to continue helping to break the silence that surrounds abuse and violence in their communities. We need to break the hold that evil still has in our homes, running our streets and owning our communities.”

Later on Saturday, Minister Plato will also launch the Western Cape Department of Community Safety’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children in Marikana, Philippi East.

This year, the Department of Community Safety is encouraging those who are suffering from abuse and those who know of abuse taking place, to break the silence around violence and abuse in our communities with the theme: SPEAK OUT – BE THE VOICE OF COURAGE.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and starting tomorrow, the Department of Community Safety and Minister Plato will be taking its awareness outreaches into the hearts of communities across the greater Cape Town Metro.

Minister Plato and the Department is teaming up with local SAPS stations, the Commission for Gender Equality, the South African Human Rights Commission, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), Neighbourhood Watches (NHWs), non-governmental organisations, the City of Cape Town councillors, other governmental departments, religious leaders and community members for this year’s annual, internationally observed, 16 Days of Activism awareness campaign between 25 November 2017 and 10 December 2017.

If safety is important to you and you would like to know how you can help create safer environments for affected Women and Children in your community, Minister Plato invites you to join the next 16 Days of Activism focussed safety outreach.

There will be an opportunity for photographs and interviews.

ALL MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

Details:          Chrysalis Academy Graduation - Tokai

Date:              Saturday, 25 November 2017

Time:               10:00 – 12:00

Venue:           Chrysalis Youth Academy, Tokai Road, Cape Town

Details:          16 Days of Activism Launch - Marikana

Date:              Saturday, 25 November 2017

Time:               12:00 – 14:30

Venue:           Open field at the end of De Pouch Park Informal settlement, Symphony Road, Marikana, Philippi East