CARING: KZN Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize (right)consoles Khanyisile Nxusa (left), who lost her son in the massacre, and her sister, Nonhlanhla. In the background is Deputy Human Settlements Minister Zoliswa Kota

Picture: Sane Shandu

Story By: Sane Shandu and Andile Mnyandu

THE 16 days of Activism for no Violence Against Women and Children campaign drew to a close in eThekwini with the handing over of homes to survivors of the recent Ntshongweni massacres. The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Deputy Ministers and MECs from a number of provinces visited the survivors to hand over the homes and offer their condolences. The families also received food parcels, beds, chairs and Eskom donated stoves, fridges, kettles and irons. Xingwana promised the survivors they would receive water and electricity free of charge from the Municipality.

The Minister called on residents to work with the police to tackle crime and violence against women and children and to protect them all year round – not only during the 16 Days campaign. She encouraged women to report abuse by their partners without delay and if necessary seek a restraining order. Forty-eight-year-old domestic worker Khanyisile Nxusa who lost her son, Sthembiso Nxusa (29), during the attack, said, “I appreciate what the government has done for me. I didn’t know that one day I would own a four-room house, with water and electricity after spending years renting a one-room house for the eight members of my family.” A closing ceremony for the 16 Days campaign was held at the City Hall where wheelchairs and walking sticks were handed over to senior citizens and the disabled and Ministers and Councillors called on the public to speak out against abuse. Mkhize said people should not look away when wrong is being done in their neighbourhoods, but speak up. “The days of family secrets are over; women must know their rights,” he said. Mayor Obed Mlaba urged men to protect their families and citizens to fight crime in their neighbourhoods.

shandusanelisiwe@durban.gov.za

mnyandua@durban.durban.gov.za