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SAPS 1999 music Festival
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 EASTERN CAPE  PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

SPEECH MESSAGE DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF THE MEC FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY

SAPS 1999 MUSIC FESTIVAL ON 14   AUGUST 1999

AT QUEENSTOWN AREA



Introduction:

Honourable Area Commissioner
 Area Community Police Board Representatives
 Area Management of the SAPS
 Representatives from the Police Labour Unions
 Junior and senior police officers
 Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

The Department for Safety and Security wishes to applaud the initiative of the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape Province to 
hold a gathering of this kind whose objective is to bring together all music loving people under the banner of the SAPS in this area.

The promotion of our diverse culture has to be encouraged, particularly in the Police Service which has in its ranks people from various 
cultural and social backgrounds. In order for us to build unity and comradeship among ourselves, we need to find other creative ways such 
as cultural and traditional activities so that we promote these to forge unity in the SAPS.

The idea of Community Policing is also strongly expressed in gatherings of this nature where the police seek to promote the spirit of 
community - police relations, in another form and platform besides the Community Police Fora. Such initiatives need to be encouraged in the 
Police Service, hence, the department declares its total support to this initiative.

This has to become, like the "Star of the Year" Award functions, an "annual tradition" of the SAPS where from time to time, people are able 
to interact with one another to witness the talent that exists in the SAPS. There is more talent in the Police Service that needs to be 
unearthed so that it could also play an effective role in forging partnerships amongst our people so that the role of the SAPS is not only 
confined to policing only but to the promotion of cultural diversity that exists within itself. This has to be done so that we begin to 
understand where we come from, who were are and where we are heading to.

Gatherings of this nature have to be accommodative of the various racial groupings that exist in the country and also have to be diverse so 
as to attract those that are not necessarily members of the SAPS. We need through activities of this kind to promote the philosophy of 
Community Policing so that the police could be viewed not only as watchdogs and law - enforcers but as ordinary human beings that are there 
to defend and protect our communities against crime. They must be seen as people that also participate in the democratic processes that are 
meant to shape the destiny of this country - that they are citizens of this country like any other citizen.

Music is an expression of various and different human feelings. To some it is a source of comfort to the aggrieved and the bereaved, whilst 
to others it is an expression of happiness, love and joy. All in all, it is a means of communication which sends out different messages for 
different people. Most importantly, it is a cultural aspect that promotes unity, solidarity, friendship and is able to cross all kinds of 
barriers, be they be racial, cultural or social.

We have to use this cultural tool as police members to enhance and harness the transformation of the Police Service. This should be done to 
show that every member of the SAPS is capable of making an individual and special contribution to transformation of the Service.

It should be borne in mind that transformation of the SAPS in South Africa is, in many respects, pursued from different angles and the 
promotion of culture in the Service is one of those.

It is also worth mentioning and encouraging that despite the fact that you are facing enormous challenges daily, many of which are life 
threatening, you could still devote some time to this kind of initiative. This on its own is a moral boosting exercise which comes at a sad 
time when police members are becoming targets of criminals who are desperately in need of firearms for use in criminal activities. We need 
more than this function to boost the moral of our members, hence, the department has made this commitment one of its priorities.

It is also sad that today we gathered here, a few days after the commemoration of Womens Day, 9th August 1999, with mourning rather than 
with celebrations. This day came at a time when violence against women and children continue to rise almost daily, thereby, undermining our 
objective for the total emancipation of women and our efforts to put women in their rightful place in society. We need as police men to 
stand together with our female counterparts in the Police Service and in society in general in the fight against domestic violence, sexual 
abuse, rape, battering and child abuse.

Crimes against women and children are one of our priorities and objectives, and you need not compromise this decision as police members in 
the execution of your duties.

We must begin to see these crimes, not only as a womens issue but as a social and national issue. It is also sad to note the increase in 
the rate of HIV/AIDS infection amongst our communities, particularly the youth and women. Women have become the hardest hit victims of this 
scourge, mostly because of sexual abuse and continued rape. It is in the interest of the health of our nation that we intensify our work on 
the issue of HIV/AIDS, ensuring that our public education campaigns are effective and we must do all we can to improve our support to AIDS 
victims and orphans.

We, as police members must join the fight against HIV/AIDS and show the same determination that we display in our fight against crime in 
unison with CPFs, Community based structures and NGOs.

Lastly, we must emphasise, through todays gathering, the importance of Community Policing in developing and strengthening relations 
between communities and the police. We should not lose sight of our mission, that of building and strengthening relations with our 
communities so that the fight against crime yields the intended and desired effects.

The department wholeheartedly supports this initiative and further encourages you to continue take part in the fight against HIV/ AIDS, in 
the renewal of morality values, in the fight against corruption, in the fight against crimes targeting women and children, in the building 
of partnerships with our communities and assisting in working for a better life for all.

I thank you

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