Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has pledged R650 million through the Township Economic Development Act (TEDA) and promised that his administration will use this fund to empower women to fight Gender-Based Violence.
Lesufi said this at the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children in Jabulani Soweto last Friday.
“You need to empower women economically so they can stand on their own as this government that I have the honour to lead. We passed the law in parliament last year and this year we’ve taken a decision to implement that law, that law is called the Township Economic Development Act,” he said.
“From now as the government, from tissue paper, to a globe, desk, bed to a pineapple, anything, everything from now on as this government of Gauteng we will only buy major products from township businesses only.
“When buying from a township we must be specific in buying from businesses that are owned by women and young people and those people must be trained and be given money to start their businesses because you can’t do business without money.”
“We are making R650 million immediately so that our people can start their businesses in the township. We are doing so, so that we actively respond to survivors of gender-based violence, to broaden access to justice for survivors.”
He said the government is changing how things are done in raising awareness against GBV.
“We are changing norms and behaviours through a high level awareness raising and prevention campaign and we are further strengthening all the things that need to be strengthened so that there can be accountability through economic opportunities,” he said.
He continued with his ambitious statement on the issue of safety and security and talked about community patrols.
“Each and every ward, informal settlement there must be a police car to patrol that ward 24 hours.”
On Wednesday Police Minister Bheki Cele presented the quarterly crime statistics, showing that for the period 1 July to 30 September 2022 more than 13 000 women were victims of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
