A multitude of people from all corners of the Limpopo Province converged at the Malale Civic Centre to lend their support for the 16 Days campaign, aimed at eradicating violence against women and children.

Organized by the Vhembe District Office of the Department of Health and Social Development, the 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children campaign continued at Malale in Musina on Sunday, 27 November, 2005. The national 16 Days campaign was launched on 25 December.

The campaign kicked off with the Deputy Manager of Social Security in Musina, who is also the Acting District Manager, Patrick Netshifhefhe, supplying information about services that the public, especially people with disabilities, the aged and children, can access as part of their social development privileges.

Urging the public to apply for grants, Netshifhefhe said that Social Security provided various grants to the needy. “The old age grant is R780, child support R180, the disability grant is R780, care dependency grant is R780, foster care grant is R560, grant in aid is R150 and an old-age war veteran receives an additional R20, which increases his grant to R800,” said Netshifhefhe.

Later during his welcoming address, Netshifhefhe said that, in line with cooperative governance, his Department was working in conjunction with the Department of Safety and Security and the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that people who did not have identity books and birth certificates apply for social grants. “Today, the three departments have brought staff members and equipment to process applications during the campaign. We are doing this in line with the government’s programme of taking service delivery to the people,” added Netshifhefhe.

Grant in aid was given to frail, old-aged people so that they could remunerate people who take care of the aged, stressed Netshifhefhe, adding that the care dependency grant was for children between 0 and 18 years who have diseases, such as down syndrome.

In between the speeches by representatives of both government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the sounds of Zozo and Sengere blurted out through the huge Phalaphala FM speakers that were placed at every corner of the yard. Community members, keen to strut their stuff, danced, whistled and ululated as some of their favourite songs filled the air.

Representing an NGO, Munna Ndi Nnyi (What is a man) – Nkhangweleni Mufunwainwi appealed to the community to refrain from abusing each other. Mufunwainwi added that men could abuse their women and children physically, emotionally, financially and sexually.