SPEECH BY THE PREMIER OF THE NORTHERN CAPE, MS SYLVIA LUCAS ON THE OCCASION OF THE MEN'S DAY CELEBRATION, KATHU STADIUM, 24 NOVEMBER 2013

Programme Director
District Mayor of John Taolo Gaetsewe
SAPS National Commissioner, Riah Phiyega
Representatives of NAPWA and SANAC
All Stakeholders
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen


I am honoured to be part of this significant event in our efforts to stem the tide against the vicious cycle of violence against women and children and to step up the campaign against HIV/AIDS. 

Violence and HIV/AIDS are challenges affecting all of us. I am delighted that men have mobilised themselves and are playing a major role in this response.

We give deserved recognition to our men who have not only made their communities, but the whole nation proud. Your selfless sacrifices and commitment will undoubtedly impact positively on our communities to curb the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and to make our area of residence a safe and secured place to live in. Our men have shown in a practical way that more people are joining efforts to promote a healthy style of living and to combat the scourge of violence against the most vulnerable sections of our population.

Violence against women and children is as much a human rights issue as it is a criminal justice and social development issue. We know that, in many instances, women remain subordinate. Poverty brings social marginalisation, which effectively renders them citizens without rights. Violence is widely accepted as a means of resolving inter-personal conflict and physical punishment of women and children is tolerated.

We need to scale up the support services that relate to gender-based violence and ensure that they are adequately resourced and widely available. Inadequate support services become disincentives for reporting cases of sexual violence.

There have been considerable legislative changes during South Africa's first decade of democracy that protect the rights of women promote gender equality. A range of new laws, for example the Domestic Violence Act, the Maintenance Act, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, the proposed Sexual Offences Act and the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act all address gender related issues.

Their implementation and acceptability have been limited by continued discriminatory attitudes and practices, a lack of resources and inadequate training and skills. The health needs of those who have suffered sexual assault are important in the quest for justice. It would be a hollow victory to see the perpetrator sent to jail, if the individual who was attacked is left with a deteriorating health and a disease that could possibly have been prevented.

Programme Director, we are therefore intensifying the implementation of various interventions that give survivors of gender-based violence some chance of full recovery. This occasion is an indication that these interventions have support amongst many men who are responsible citizens of this country.

Programme Director, being a boy and a man generally brings privileges, but it also carries high health costs. Young men die more often than young women, from traffic accidents and violence. Both these challenges are related to a perception of "manhood" that encourages men to take risks or use violence. This perception also encourages sexual and drug-related risk-taking. Men frequently delay seeking health care for illnesses that could be prevented or cured.

All these factors, particularly the reluctance to seek treatment for sexually transmitted infection, put men at a greater risk of contracting HIV infection. Such behaviours as alcohol and substances abuse increase the possibility of engaging in unsafe sex.

HIV is more easily transmitted sexually from men to women than vice versa. This is exacerbated by the tendency to have more sexual partners encourages the spread of HIV. A man with HIV is therefore likely to infect more people over a lifetime than an HIV-positive woman.

But with this initiative (men mobilising themselves to fight social ills) men are beginning to give greater consideration to AIDS and its effects on families. Fathers and future fathers are encouraged to consider the potential impact of their sexual behaviour on their partners and children, including leaving children behind as orphans and introducing HIV into the family. Men are also encouraged to play a greater role in caring for family members living with HIV and AIDS.

Programme Director, it is unfortunate that nowadays young people’s lives are marred by drugs and substance abuse. It is unfortunate that these day’s most young people are addicted to various substances and find it difficult to exercise restraint even from indulging in unprotected sex.

Disrespect for adults is a common occurrence these days. I need to advise the young men here today and all over the world. You never know with whom and where you will end up in life. As a young man you may end up getting married in the family you once despised. The same goes for the young women: you may end up being umakoti of the mother or woman you once told to get off.

The way ahead in this country needs people who will take up its development to a higher level. This country will need skilled people with vision for the future. If young people of today do not live up to expectations the future will not be guaranteed. As young people you have the world at your feet. Stand firm and walk tall.

My message to young people, is stand up and speak out against any injustice, at school in the social club, at the work place for those who are fortunate to be holding jobs and take risks for as long as you know you are right because you will be vindicated in the not distant future. Here it is the likes of Nelson Mandela, who stood up against oppression, they spoke out against racism, they took the risk of being incarcerated and even being executed but here we are, we are standing on their shoulders as a free nation.

We wish to call on all young men to desist from raping unsuspecting women and people old enough to be their grandmothers or great grandmothers nogal. It is as immoral as it is unacceptable in society.

We are proud of all the young people who have decided to become role models and dedicated themselves to contribute positively to build a society of our dreams.

I am confident that if we work together as a team, we stand a better chance to make a difference in the mines were some of the social ills are rampant.

Let us collectively harness our strength, energy and resolve to make our country South Africa a better place to live in.

I thank you