Speeches

ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRPERSON AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE WITCHCRAFT ROADSHOWS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE
18-25 July 2000

The Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) is one of six independent statutory bodies established to promote and protect constitutional democracy in South Africa. The functions of the CGE, as outlined in the CGE Act of 1996, include the following:

1. Monitor and evaluate policies and practices of organs of state at any level, public bodies, private businesses and other institutions.

2. Conduct information and education programmes to foster public awareness on gender equality

3. Investigate gender-related complaints.

In line with our work focus, the CGE together with the then MEC for Safety and Security, Advocate Seth Nthai, started an initiative to address the problem of witchcraft violence, which was then rampant in this province.

The starting point for the initiative was to raise awareness on the gendered and criminal nature of witchcraft violence and killings. For the CGE, witchcraft violence and killings posed a particular challenge to our mandate in that the majority of those fingered and accused of witchcraft were mostly women. Safety and Security was in general concerned with the criminal conduct and lawlessness associated with witchcraft killings.

As a first step, a conference on witchcraft was hosted by the CGE in 1998. Conference participants included community members, academics, police, traditional leaders, non governmental organisations and other affected stakeholders.
The Conference drew up a National Action Plan, in which the need to conduct further public education and information was identified, as well as the call for reform of the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957. In terms of the latter, The CGE is pleased to announce the official launch of the Report of the Conference on Legislative Reform of the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957. We hope this will assist the South African Law Commission, and other policy-making bodies, in promulgating new Witchcraft legislation.

Since then the CGE in partnership with traditional leaders, safety and security officials, local government and community structures have embarked on public education and information campaigns.

The Witchcraft Roadshows, which commence today, are a culmination of the education and information campaign for the CGE. On behalf of the CGE, the Witchcraft Roadshows are officially commencing today. The itinerary of the Roadshows will be as follows:
§ Wed 19 July - Lowveld region, Ga Ramotshinyadi village in Bolobedu
§ Thurs 20 July - Far North Region, Makuya village in Mutale
§ Fri 21 July - Central Region, My darling village in Bochum
§ Sat 22 July - Bushveld Region, Ga Seleka

§ Mon 24 July - Western Region, in Bakenberg TLC office, Ga Kgosi Langa
§ Tues 25 July - Southern Region in Apel Police Station, Ga Nkwana in Sekhukhuni.
The Commission believes that the community, traditional leaders, NGOs and other stakeholders should now work together to take this process forward.

The problem of witchcraft violence and killings has a long and painful history for the province and for South Africa at large. Some of the horrors that those who were suspected or fingered as witches were exposed to include the following:
§ House imprisonment of those accused or fingered as witches.
§ Public burning.
§ Assault, which often resulted in death.
§ Expulsion for the community.

As South Africans, who have a proud history of fighting injustice, oppression and inequality, we have to say never again to witchcraft violence and killings. We are a new nation, a society with a new constitution, which we as South Africans shed blood and tears for. The constitution clearly states that every one is equal in South Africa, irrespective of race, sex and ethnic origin.

Having monitored the witchcraft violence and killings, the CGE is pleased that this injustice is now on the decrease in this Province.

While we urge local communities to ensure that witchcraft violence and killing is eradicated, we are now concerned by the increase in rape of women and children.

Rape is also a gender-based crime and as such the CGE has a particular interest, for it relates to the power imbalances between men on the one hand, and women and children on the other.

The CGE is prepared to assist within the constraints of its limited financial and human resources. We cannot transform and develop our communities and nation if women and children are not safe in their homes, their communities and their country. Rape is not just a women's problem, but it also concerns men and society at large. This is why the CGE is disappointed at the seeming inaction of most men. As the CGE we would like to see and hear men speak against rape and violence. Most importantly, we would like to see men and women, the youth and the aged, act against the different social ills our nation is experiencing.

The CGE is of the view that transformation and rebuilding of our society must be the first responsibility of local communities, working together with traditional leaders, community and police forums, local government structures as well as community-based organisations and NGOs.

Combating witchcraft violence and killings was one challenge. As a nation we have some way to go to start reaping the fruits of democracy and freedom.

Many people in South Africa, including this Province, face abject poverty. Many are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Many still have little or no access to clean water, sanitation and health care. Children still do not have access to quality education. These are only some of the challenges facing us in rebuilding our nation and our humanity.

We hope the Roadshows will go some way in raising awareness not only about witchcraft violence and killings, but also about the other challenges we still face as a nation.

The CGE expresses its sincere gratitude to the traditional leaders, who we continue to engage on other issues of concern to us.

We thank the MEC of Safety and Security for their ongoing cooperative and critical relationship with the commission.

We also express our gratitude to the various NGOs, CBOs and partners that we work with in the province to improve and better the quality of life of the people in this province.

Last, but not least, we thank you community members for your willingness to change your attitudes and embrace the imperative to transform. For it is the community members who continuously, and rightfully, put pressure on the police, courts, traditional leaders, NGOs and other structures as well as the CGE to act - for a better life for all. We hope that the communities will own this public awareness programme and sustain it beyond this initiative.

This challenge is not over for all of us - the real work begins today and now, for all of us. We can only be able to rid our communities and society of all its ills if we work together.

Thank you.