The ninth National Imbizo Fortnight of Activism kicks off from today under the theme ‘Together we move South Africa forward’.
The Fortnight of Activism was pronounced by Cabinet as a very important event in the calendar of the country, which will run until 25 November. The campaign is a heed to the Thuma Mina call made by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The fortnight will see government leaders from all three spheres of government, including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, mayors and senior government officials, leading the engagements with various communities across the country.
The fight against gender-based violence (GBV) will be tightened during the campaign.
Government will also use this opportunity to mobilise communities to address issues such as crime, drug abuse, service delivery challenges and other social ills affecting communities.
Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said as the country moves towards the end of the fifth administration, the imbizo platform will provide communities with an opportunity to interact with the public representatives.
The interaction, Mokonyane said, will happen through walkabouts, face-to-face interaction with communities in their own localities, door-to-door visits to victims of crime or survivors of gender-based violence, and other forms of gatherings.
The engagements will be held to address numerous socio-economic issues which include among others gender-based violence, poverty, unemployment and inequality as enshrined in the National Development Plan (NDP).
“Communities should further use the imbizo platforms to propose ideas or solutions to some of the socio-economic issues in the country. This is an opportunity for all citizens to exercise their active citizenry rights and strengthen the democracy that Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu fought for.
“We encourage all citizens of South Africa to also [extend]] a helping hand to the needy and show the spirit of ubuntu and togetherness in an effort to build a better country for all,” said Mokonyane.
A comprehensive schedule of activities will be uploaded on www.gov.za.
For updates during the Fortnight of Activism, follow at @SAGovNews, @GovernmentZA and @GCISMedia and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #FortnightofActivism. – SAnews.gov.za
