Tshwane council Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana paid a heartfelt tribute to Palesa Malatji, a young Soshanguve learner who was tragically raped and killed on her way home from school last year.
He was speaking during a ceremony hosted at Ntsako Primary School, where Malatji was a learner.
Malatji, who would have turned 18 this year, was gruesomely murdered and raped on her way from extra classes to home.
The incident took place at an unkempt park behind Echibini Secondary School, where her sexually assaulted body was found.
Ndzwanana planted trees and handed over a memorial bench at the school to honour the memory of the late learner.
He said the memorial bench handed over to the school serves as a symbol of keeping her spirit and memory alive.
The poignant gesture showed the spirit of the 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence, which ended this week.
Ndzwanana emphasised the urgent need to address the surge in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.
“First, as a husband, as a father and as the Speaker of Council, I would like to pledge my support to any course that aims to end the GBVF. I would like to call upon all men across South Africa to join me in action as we raise awareness about this evil surge of GBVF,” he said.
He reiterated his commitment to empowering children, stating, “Children are the future of this country. It's our duty to protect them all the time.”
Meanwhile, MMC for Community and Social Development Services Palesa Modise said: “This year’s campaign served as a crucial platform to raise awareness, ignite conversations and amplify the call for an end to all forms of abuse. While we recognise the progress made in recent years, we also acknowledge that violence continues daily for many victims.”
She called on all members of society, government, institutions and civil society to remain vigilant and active in the protection of the most vulnerable among us.
“I encourage the people of Tshwane to support survivors and to report incidents of violence. We should never feel the temptation to protect criminals who abuse access to women and children. We should instead help create a safer and more just society where women and children can live without fear and with dignity,” Modise said.
Pretoria News
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