Western Cape Government and local celebrities launch ‘Respect’ Campaign | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Government and local celebrities launch ‘Respect’ Campaign

24 November 2014

On Saturday, 22 November 2014, the 16th anniversary of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Campaign was launched countrywide. The aim of this campaign is to create awareness about the on-going war against women and children in South Africa.

This is also an opportunity for all role-players to become activists and highlight all the services which are on offer for people throughout the year.

Last week, Minister Dan Plato and I highlighted the objectives of the Western Cape Government for this campaign. All government departments including the South African Police Service are coming together to:

  • Increase awareness of abuse and how to break the cycle;
  • Challenge perpetrators to change their behaviour or face the full force of the law;
  • Communicate the help available to our communities and the places of safety for victims;
  • Enhance and encourage partnerships between government, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, private sector and the media in an effort to curb the violence.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has focused on the Western Cape Government’s ‘Create a Culture of Respect’ theme and, with the help of local celebrities, are officially launching our ‘Respect’ campaign.

One of the biggest challenges campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism face is the lack of continuity. Often, efforts surrounding it are not sustained beyond the 16 day window.

We as the Western Cape Government believe that with the help of all role players in our society such parents, civil society, traditional leaders and role models, we can create a sustainable culture where we respect and protect one another.

And this pledge and campaign is the first of many steps to achieve this goal.

I would like to thank each and every one of these people who have taken time of their busy schedules to do something incredible for South Africa and the people of the Western Cape, particularly:

  • Andrea Dondolo- South African actress and gender-based violence activist
  • Cedric Finch- South Africa national swimming coach
  • Hilton Langenhoven- is a South African athlete and three time Paralympic Champion, competing mainly incategory F12 (visual impairment) long jump events.
  • Africa Melani – Capetalk radio personality and talk show host
  • Phumza Maweni- South African National Netball player
  • Siv Ngesi- South African actor and comedian
  • Jonathan Ntutu- a Professional Athlete. He represented South Africa at the 2012 Paralympic Games.
  • Leandra Smeda- Banyanya Banyana football player
  • Lungile Tsolekile- South African national hockey team player. He represented South Africa in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • Ernst Van Dyk- is a South African wheelchair racer and handcyclist. He has won a record 10 wheelchair titles in the Boston Marathon. He was also awarded the Laureus World Sports Awards for Sportsperson with a Disability of the year for 2006
  • Some of the team members of the South African Cricket Team 

They will use their influence in each field to effect change and speak to people across the province.

This campaign is a plea to the people of the Western Cape to ‘Create a Culture of Respect’ and take a stand against the abuse of the most vulnerable people in our society, and we encourage the rest of the province to join us. 

Media Enquiries: 

Siviwe Gwarube
Spokesperson for Minister Mbombo
Tel: 021 483 9800/ 076 055 6280
E-mail: Siviwe.Gwarube@westerncape.gov.za