Deputy Speaker, Nompumelelo Ndlovu, who was believed to be seven months pregnant, was beaten to death in broad daylight on one of the busiest streets in Pietermaritzburg's central business district. It is alleged that Ms Ndlovu was attacked without provocation and hit repeatedly with an iron bar.
The IFP offers its condolences to the family and friends of Ms Ndlovu, and all the other women of South Africa who are senselessly murdered. We might have celebrated Women's Day recently and we continue to honour women during the month of August, but the abuse of women continues unabated.
While mainstreaming gender issues, passing the right legislation and highlighting the plight of women, these efforts are, however, not enough and will be undermined if we do not create a culture of respect for women. Young boys must learn from an early age that girls and women must be respected. This should be ingrained in our culture. For this to happen, South African men must play a more active role. I, therefore, appeal to South African men, starting with all of you sitting in this House today, to be the role models that our youth need, and become active role-players in the promotion of women's rights ... [Time expired.]