Marchers to launch 16 Days of Activism in SA today

The aim of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign is to create awareness

The 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign will be launched countrywide today. Thousands of people in Limpopo, the Free State and Mpumalanga are expected to take to the streets to highlight the child and women abuse, rape and gender violence plaguing South African society.

In Bloemfontein, men are expected to participate in the "Million men's march." Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff will deliver the welcome address. Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, and Social Development and Welfare minister Zola Skweyiya are also expected to speak at the gathering.

In Polokwane, marchers will converge on the local police station. Like the rest of the country, Limpopo is battling with cases of violence ranging from assault, rape and murder. Unresolved cases include that of 13 children in Modimolle - who have been missing for the past four years. Seven of them have since been found raped and murdered. Traffic officers will escort the marchers to the police station.

The Mpumalanga launch of the 16 days of activism campaign of no violence against women and children kicks off at the Lowveld Show Grounds. This will be followed by a march led by Premier Thabang Makwetla to the Nelspruit magistrate courts. A memorandum will be handed over to the MEC for Safety and Security. The provincial march is expected to attract more than 60 000 people as part of the one million people that are expected to march country-wide.