As South Africa holds the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children Abuse campaign, one politician, who was convicted for assaulting women, has called for a dialogue on gender based violence.

Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana, was last month sentenced to 12 months or a R100 000 fine for assaulting three women at a Johannesburg night club.

Manana says he has learnt the hard way and has urged all men in the country to respect and protect women and children.

“I want to urge all men, let us have a conversation, let us have a dialogue instead of allowing it to come out whenever we are having disagreement with other people and especially with women and as it comes out it comes out through violence and that cannot be tolerated, there is no excuse. Let us learn to walk away if we are unable to put our views across and make our point in whatever debate or discussion we are having with women or with anybody in society,” says Manana.

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