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Bumbanani Day
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Health

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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

THE ADDRESS BY THE  MEC FOR HEALTH DR. B. GOQWANA

AT THE  OCCASION TO MARK THE BUMBANANI DAY

4 SEPTEMBER 1999.

Master of Ceremonies
 Dr Steve Taylor-The General Manager of Afrox Healthcare
 Employees of the already stated company
 Ladies and Gentlemen: and most importantly
 The most beautiful children in attendance
 Molweni Nonke

Let me start by saying I am excited to be part of this occasion. I speak to you as a father. I am also speaking to you as a friend and also 
someone who takes the well-being of children very seriously.

I do not intend to spoil your enjoyment by telling you endless stories. My participation here is very personal for I value your needs and 
identify entirely with children’s needs.

Mr. Master of Ceremonies; Let me take this opportunity to thank Afrox Healthcare for this beautiful and most well-thought initiative. It is 
with small beginnings, efforts or initiatives like these that proper foundations for the proper well-being of our children thrive. Your 
effort sets the pace for the development and community fulfilment to the community. Never despair on that. The fact that you locally adopt 
a disadvantaged community to adopt children is also most heart warming. We must remember that children have very little or no voice when it 
comes to critical matters. The fact that they have no say in how their futures are shaped makes the whole issues all more delicate.

Children are the future. That future is entirely depended on us how it is shaped. In the past we fought for equality and an end to 
discrimination. We said we shall never rest until all of mankind is living happily in harmony without immaterial differences. We won then. 
Today we are faced with a battle much more fundamental to morals of mankind. Today we are faced with a more fundamental challenge-That 
challenge is your well-being.

We fought for freedom and we fought extremely hard. Some of us paid with their dearest God given asset-their lives. The most amazing aspect 
about the liberation of our country is that children played a critical role in ensuring that freedom is realised.

Some children were killed in the process. Others were put in prison or ran away to some distant and unfamiliar country. Some of the us 
could only yearn, during those dark old days, to see children laughing, playing and doing all the things that children do.

Today, South Africans are taking the special needs of children very seriously. Men and women from all walks of life are taking the matter 
very seriously by working hand in hand to ensure that we give the children a better and far brighter future than we ever had. We are all 
walking that extra mile to ensure that homeless children are particularly protected. The legacy of our country is not very supportive but 
we pledge our unwavering commitment to children’s security.

We want you to be an example of what growing up in a society free of stereotypes is like. We are aware that our freedom is being abused by 
some of us. That is very sad. Looking at the child is like watching the dawning of a new. That new era only begins with you the children.

Some irresponsible individuals prey on children with evil intent. What choice does a child have if he/she cannot trust an adult. It is your 
right to know that you have every reason to security. No man, woman or any other person can do as they choose with you. Never hesitate to 
call the police or any other structure even if you are not sure or you want to ask questions.

It is true that some of you are going through difficult times. We all truly and deeply adore you regardless of who you and what you are.

It is a fact that children, especially those without proper family support are vulnerable to criminal activities. We are concerned about 
the fact that there are almost 12 000 juveniles or young offenders in our institutions today. I have deep hatred for criminal activity and 
I am of the opinion that crime causes so much fear, pain and suffering in our country.

Do not be tempted to add to that. We have great hopes that the future of this country shall be shaped by yourselves into one that is crime 
free and exemplary to all societies.
Last but not least, we take every effort within our grasp to eradicate poverty. Around the world over 200 million children are malnourished 
or underfed as a result of poverty. We strive not to be on that list. Dr Taylor, Ms Elna Du Toit and all the employees of Afrox Health 
Care, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us steadfastly hold hands together in this effort.

The constitution of our country advocates the right to security. It is your right, therefore, as children to be looked after by society for 
you are the future of society.

Ladies and Gentlemen: with those words let me humbly say I am with you in your endeavours and shall personally do everything possible to 
ensure that there is progress to the benefit of the most precious gift to us all-The children.

THANK YOU

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