​On Tuesday, the Department of Social Development welcomed donations from the Motsepe Foundation that were handed over to twenty-three (23) Gender-Based Violence Shelters in Gauteng.
The donations came as government and civil society marked an end to this year’s Women’s Month commemorations, observed under the theme, “The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women’s Rights.”

Speaking during the ceremony at AMCARE Hannah House in Alberton, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu called on government at National, Provincial and Local Municipality as well as the Foundation to work together in a coordinated manner to fight gender-based violence and femicide.

“I believe that if we are united and collaborative, and pull the resources we have, both financial and human, we will create safer places for women, girls and young boys where they will be able to thrive.”

“We need to work in a manner that is not self-serving, but serving the people who find themselves in tricky situations,” said Zulu.

This was also echoed by the Founder and CEO of Motsepe Foundation, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe. “We need to adopt an inclusive approach in fighting this animal called gender-based violence. The Minister spoke about collaboration, and I want to emphasise that us being here is a result of a collaboration between two important sectors; and to promote local culture, art, creations, fashion, manufacturing, and creating jobs.”

“We are distributing these care packs to 71 shelters for abused women in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape. So initially we had committed to delivering only in Gauteng with the leadership of MEC Morakane Mosupyoe who kindly allowed us to postpone the event so that we could include the other provinces”.

“I want to acknowledge the women who are at the shelters for being bold, and I want them to know that they are special, they were created with the image of our Lord, and they are as important as everyone of us,” said Moloi-Motsepe.

Gauteng Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe expressed her gratitude to the Motsepe Foundation for the work they have done in uplifting communities.

“It really is a good feeling to be amongst these powerful hard-working women. I am really impressed by the work that you are doing. The work that you have done for young people in our country is immense and admirable.”

“Your efforts for gender equality, leadership, mentorship and bursaries targeted at young people and women in our countryand continent does not go unnoticed,” added Mosupyoe.
 
“The month of August was a month that we are supposed to be celebrated as women, but it was unfortunate that gender-based violence presented its ugly face”.

“However, we closed it on a positive note and being positive about life encourages people to keep living and doing the right things. Together as government and the private sector and all relevant institutions we will continue to work wholeheartedly in combating GBV, poverty and hunger in our communities”.​