The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Ms Cheryl Gillwald, in her capacity as the national co-ordinator of the 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, has welcomed the contribution and support of the Kaizer Chiefs Football Club to the campaign announced on Wednesday.

Gilwald expressed her delight with the involvement of the country’s leading soccer team in the fight against woman and child abuse.

“This gesture by Kaizer Chiefs gives the campaign a significant boost as it demonstrates that no one is left untouched by this worthy cause,” Gillwald said.

Amakhosi announced that it will dedicate its match between themselves and Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday (27 November) to the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. During the game, Kaizer Chiefs will run a short message service (SMS) fundraising competition. Proceeds will go to the Foundation for Human Rights; these funds will be ring-fenced for distribution, early next year, to NGOs working with victims and survivors of violence.

Also in support of the Campaign, the Club has announced a donation of two tonnes of maize meal , provided by their sponsor, Iwisa. The maize meal will be distributed to shelters and NGOs working with the victims and survivors of abuse.

Gillwald said the involvement of the football fraternity is a welcome addition to the ever increasing number of partners that have joined the drive to eliminate violence directed against women and children.

“The decision of Chiefs to play an advocacy role in the 16 Days Campaign sends an important message to the players and fans that support them,” Gillwald said.

”Their generous financial and material support of the many NGOs working with victims and survivors of violence makes a tangible contribution to the fight against gender-based and child directed violence,” she added.

The football constituency (players and supporters) is a welcome addition to the ever increasing number of partners that have joined the drive to eliminate violence directed at women and children. The Club’s decision to play an advocacy role in the 16 Days Campaign sends an important message to the players and fans that support them. Their generous financial and in-kind support of the many NGOs working with victims and survivors of violence makes a tangible contribution to the fight against gender-based and child directed violence.

Partnerships between government and civil society such as the one between the Kaizer Chiefs and the DCS are pivotal to the success of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign kicks off on Thursday, 25 November (International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and ends on 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

For more information contact Joseph Mohajane at 082 567 7538

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES