MEDIA ADVISORY

As part of the build-up activities towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will on Monday, 9 November 2020, join the Mzansi ACT Now Walk Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu-Natal.

The main aim of Minister Zulu’s participation in the walk is to draw attention to the unacceptably high levels of GBVF and to highlight government’s programmes to prevent, reduce and empower survivors. Violence against women, including intimate-partner violence has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa. Statistics South Africa’s report, titled: ‘The Crimes Against Women in South Africa’, shows that femicide in South Africa is five times higher than the global average.

The 10-day walk started on Sunday,1 November in Heidelberg - Gauteng Province, and will end on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. To engage and mobilise men and boys in the fight against GBVF, Minister Zulu and Mzansi ACT Now will on Monday, 9 November 2020 interact with members of uMzansi Youth in Business which is a non-profit organisation run by young people. Minister will later visit a disability centre in Pietermaritzburg as part of the Disability Rights Awareness Month (3 November- 3 December).

Minister Zulu will use the opportunity to assess the centre’s compliance with COVID-19 regulations and donate protective personal equipment (PPEs) and sanitary towels to young girls.

The walk will culminate into a media briefing on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 in Durban.

The full details of the programme are as follows:

DATE: Monday, 9 November 2020

ITEM: Visit to uMzansi Youth in Business

VENUE: 1132D Zayeka Road, Sweetwaters - Pietermaritzburg

TIME: 07h00 - 07h40

DATE: Monday, 9 November 2020

ITEM: Visit to Disability Centre

VENUE: Pietermaritzburg

TIME: 08h00 - 08h40

DATE: Monday, 9 November 2020

ITEM: Restart of the Walk

VENUE: Gandhi Square, Church Street – Pietermaritzburg

TIME: 09h00

DATE: Tuesday, 10 November 2020

ITEM: Final Walk from Greyville Racecourse to Moses Mabhida Stadium

VENUE: Greyville Racecourse, 150 Avondale Road, Durban

TIME: 07h00

Members of the media can RSVP by contacting 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 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 directed to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.