By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 December 2024- The residents of Gaasca Community Service Centre for the Elderly in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley, celebrated an early Christmas with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 11 December 2024.
This event followed the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Colour Walk earlier in the morning. The event commenced at Galeshewe Police Station with a motorcade led by the Kimberley CC Riders motorcyclists.
The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and her entourage, Traffic Department, SAPS members and the Community Police Forums, were part of the event. The school principal of Kimberley Boys High School, Xolile Taba pledged their continued support to SAPS, especially as the country concluded the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
“We need to stand together against GBVF. We also encourage men to become actively involved in advocating for gender equality, preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“We need to change our belief on gender norms, taking an active stand against domestic and sexual violence, and sustaining these changes in their personal lives – all of which contribute to reducing the rapid spread of HIV,” he said.
Meanwhile, Otola reiterated in her keynote address that they acknowledge that elderly citizens are often targeted by criminals and they want to assure them that SAPS is doing everything in their power to prevent and combat these heinous crimes.
“We value the wisdom, experience and contributions the elderly citizens bring to the community. As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, we want to take this opportunity to appreciate and honour our elderly as we vow to work tirelessly to keep them safe and secure this Festive Season and beyond.
“We handed out Christmas gifts to all the elderly and enjoyed an early Christmas lunch with all the attendees at the event. The day was concluded with Christmas carols, and a vote of thanks by Colonel Sebe Qunta of Proactive Policing,” she said.
The Guardian 