29 March 2021

Media Advisory

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will from 30 March- 31 March 2021 conduct a follow up outreach programme focusing on youth development and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in Pietermaritzburg, Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Minister Zulu visited the area in 2020 as part of the 365 Days of Action Against GBVF, with specific focus on areas identified as hotspots across the country. This is in line with the Human Rights Month that is celebrated in the country under theme, “The year of Charlotte Maxeke: promoting human rights in the Age of COVID-19.”

The aim of the outreach is to mobilise young people to play their part as agents of change in promoting a culture of respect for human rights, gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence, which has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa.

The most recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (October-December 2020) revealed a 5% increase in reported sexual offences in the midst of COVID-19 national lockdown. 

Part of Minister Zulu’s outreach will include interaction with local police to get a briefing on police response at Plessieslaer, which is one of the 7 GBVF hotspots in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The aim of the interaction is to support and encourage police who are in the frontline of the criminal justice system to play their part in prevention and response measures and better serve the needs of victims/survivors. Minister Zulu is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) established by President Ramaphosa to expedite the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (2019-2024). Social Development is responsible for Pillar 4 of the NSP: response, care, support, healing and empowerment of victims/survivors.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover Minister Zulu’s outreach programme, which is scheduled as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Dialogue with young women living and working on farms

Time:               08h00-09h30

Venue:            Fernhill Hotel, Howick

Official launch of Umzansi Youth in Business Digital HIV and Resource Centres

Time:               10h00-11h00

Venue:             Umzansi Youth in Business Centre, D1132 Zayeka Location Sweetwaters - Pietermaritzburg

Commemoration of the International Social Work Day

Time:               12h00 -14h00

Venue:             Pietermaritzburg City Hall, Pietermaritzburg

Bonfire conversation with youth and representatives of youth organisations in uMgungundlovu District Municipality

Time:               16h00-18h00

Venue:             Ascott Inn, Pietermaritzburg

Day 2: 31 March 2021

10km Walk Against GBVF and Commemoration of the 60^th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s 1961 Address to the All-in Africa Conference  

Time:               06h30-08h00

Venue:             Plessieslaer Hall, Pietermaritzburg

Interaction with police management on response to GBVF

Time:               08h30-09h00

Venue:            Plessieslaer Police Station, Old Main Road, Edendale-Pietermaritzburg

Women empowerment initiative

Time:               11h00-13h00

Venue:             Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg

Visit to KhanyiTex and ribbon cutting for an ECD centre benefiting factory employees’ children

Time:               14h00-15h00

Venue:             Coveway Industrial Park, 18 Green Road, Elangeni-Hammarsdale 

Media RSVPs may be forwarded to Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849 /e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845/e-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.