Pretoria - As calls for the safe return of more than 200 school girls captured in Nigeria intensify, the Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana on Thursday lead a candle lighting ceremony at the Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria.
The 230 “flames of hope” were lit on Thursday afternoon at the embassy.
Each of the 230 flames represents each of the kidnapped children and will remain lit until the safe return of the girls.
Lighting a flame, Minister Xingwana described the abduction of the girls as a serious human rights violation and a crime against humanity.
“We continue to make an appeal for the urgent release of our girls. These lamps are a symbol of our solidarity with the kidnapped children, their families, the people of Nigeria and their government as the world continues to work for the reunion of the school girls with their loved ones,” Minister Xingwana said.
The abduction of school children in Nigeria by the armed group, Boko Haram, has sparked global outrage and prompted calls for action from people all over the world.
The South African Government has condemned the action in the strongest terms calling on the kidnappers to release the children without further delay.
Employees of the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities on Thursday committed to join hands with all people across the world, in particular the Nigerian people, to work for the safe return of our girls by signing a public servant pledge petition. – SAnews.gov.za
