Launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children
Department of Social Development together with ZF Mgcawu District Municipality and different stakeholders launched 16 Days of Activism on Monday, 25 November 2019.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign (16 Days Campaign) is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Other key commemorative days during this period include World Aids Day on the 1st December and the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, on 3 December of every year. The programme kicked off with a march against Gender-Based Violence from Engen Garage (Stap In) to the Municipal Park (Opposite OK) where the crowd was addressed on the purpose of the day.
The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr JJJ Olyn urged everyone to speak out and not be silenced. Cllr Olyn expressed his disgust against the evil that is abuse towards women and children and called for the community to work with the South African Police Service and Community Police Forum. “I will say it again – violence against women is not a problem of women, it is a problem of men,” he said.
The Executive Mayor asked that the Department of Education revisit their security measures on school premises and not rely on boards that prohibit weapons on school grounds. He emphasised that he does not want a repeat of the tragic incident that happened at a school in the previous week, where a fellow pupil fatally stabbed another pupil. Before the crowd marched to the Upington Magistrate’s Court to hand over a petition, the Speaker of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr Moses Moalosi asked for a moment of silence for the pupil who was fatally stabbed. This year the 16 Days Campaign takes place under the theme: “Enough is Enough – 365 days to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)”
The 16 Days Campaign forms the centre point of government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. At the end of the campaign on 10 December 2019, government will officially launch the 365 Days Behavioural Change Campaign. As part of the practical interventions planned for this year’s campaign, government will be mobilising stakeholders from civil society organisations.
ZFM Council holds Special Council Meeting 2019
On Friday, 8 November 2019, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality held a Special Council meeting ahead of National Treasury’s deadline for budget amendments. During the sitting, Mr Gilbert Lategan, Municipal Manager of the District Municipality made a presentation to Council on ZFM’s Special Adjustment Budget for 2019/2022. The Council was pleased that the Municipality has managed to cut costs and save on employee related costs and operational expenditure.
Councillor Sam Sandlana was also inaugurated during the Special Council Meeting and received a warm welcome. This Councillor filled the vacant post that existed in the Council. Councillor Walter Klim urged all Councillors to work together as they have a common goal of serving the communities. Before Councillor Moses Moalosi, Speaker of the District Municipality could adjourn the meeting, members raised other matters however it was agreed that the said matters will be addressed at the appropriate platforms. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality will be holding its last council meeting for the 2019 calendar year by the end of November.
Twinning Agreement between SA and Namibia signed in ZFM District
The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality and Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality hosted a successful twinning agreement between the Northern Cape Provincial government and the //Kharas Regional Council of Namibia on Wednesday evening, 6 November 2019 at the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Council Chambers in Upington. This is following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (South Africa) and the Keetmanshoop Municipality (Namibia) in 2018. The MoU is guided by SALGA’s Municipal International Relations (MIR) Policy Framework. The MIR ensures that the agreements that are signed are adhered to and implemented accordingly.
The occasion was attended by the MEC of Roads and Public Works, Abraham Vosloo; Executive Mayor of ZFM District Municipality, Roy Olyn; Executive Mayor of Namakwa District, Mervin Cloete; Executive Mayor of Dawid Kruiper, Michael Segede; Mayor of Oranjemund, Henry Coetzee; Deputy Mayor of Lüderitz, Brigitte Fredericks; Mayor of Nama Khoi Municipality, Lorenzo Faber; Mayor of Richtersveld Municipality, Arthur Jansen;
Further attendees included the Provincial Executive Committee Member of SALLGA; Councillors; CEO’s and Municipal Managers of Town Councils and Municipalities of Namibia and South Africa; Officials of Provincial Government and Local Government.
ZFM holds Mental Health Awareness Session for Staff
October is Mental Health Awareness Month and the overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The session focused mainly on the wellbeing of employees and their relationship with management and co-workers.
Mr William Solomons - Clinical Psychologist
The session was organised by the Human Resources Development Unit of ZF Mgcawu District Municipality in conjunction with the Department of Health (represented by Sr. Katie Diergaardt), Dr Harry Surtie Hospital (represented by Mr. William Solomons, Clinical Psychologist) and the South African Human Rights Commission (represented by Rev. Julian Masimila)Dr Harry Surtie Hospital’s Clinical Psychologist, Mr. William Solomons, urged everyone to be cautious around one another and learn the art of hosting by allowing people to deal with their emotions how they see fit. While addressing the issue of fighting against stigmatization, he also mentioned that Upington is facing a challenge of a shortage of Clinical Psychologists and said that the youth should be encouraged to study Psychology to curb the shortage.
