Hon Speaker and hon Deputy President, last week the Times Live ran a story entitled: "The day Anene Booysen did not turn 18". In part, it read and I quote:
... Corlia Olivier found herself slumped against a tombstone in Bredasdorp on the day her daughter Anene Booysen would have turned 18. It should have been a joyous day... the family would have laughed, celebrated together. Instead, Olivier spent several hours in the Swellendam Circuit Court with Johannes Kana, the man who raped and mutilated her child so badly that even the doctors who had treated her were traumatised.
We are faced in this House today with an issue that cuts to our hearts, but in this debate, one of the most pressing debates of our times, emotive statements must give way to decisive action. As legislators, we bear the responsibility to shape a society in which our children are safe. Clearly, we have failed. The death of Bongani Nkabinde at the hands of his schoolmates, the murder of the Diepsloot cousins, the stabbing of Michaela du Plessis - these are lives and their lives, and deaths matter. However, they are the few amongst the many.
The fact that three children die in unnatural circumstances every day in South Africa, which is higher than the international average, is a national crisis. Yet, our government often responds with emotive statements, where the correct response would be facing this crisis head-on and ruthlessly fighting all forms of crime, including the murder and rape of our children.
The IFP has called for a debate on child prostitution. We have also raised awareness of the plight of NGOs like Childline, who will lose funding because of government's new black economic empowerment codes. Knowing the statistics and sharing the pain of our people, the IFP is committed to eliminating the pervasive violence and the abuse committed against our most vulnerable citizens.
In South Africa the violence-related death rate is nearly twice the global average. This is an indictment on our country. Without a clear national plan of action, we are ill-equipped to stop this evil.
Violence against children flourishes in an environment in which their dignity is disregarded and their status diminished. Child abuse flourishes when it is hidden. It is our duty to raise awareness of child rights and to break the silence in our communities which tacitly consent to child abuse in our homes and streets.
We call on all South Africans today, who suspect or know of an abusive situation, to speak out. Our children need our protection. South Africa has reached a moral crossroads and, unless something is done urgently, we are headed for moral bankruptcy. There are many things we can and must do to turn this national crisis around.
In order for our communities to ensure the safety and security of women and children, we must provide parents with better support structures. We must train far more social workers and we can bring back the teaching of ubuntu in schools. We must bring discipline back into our schools, among both educators and learners, and we must promote family values. We must also encourage greater community involvement in the fight against crime.
We must ensure the full implementation of the Child Protection Register and we must allocate resources to the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence, which is yet to have any impact. Through prudent economic policy we can break the cycle of poverty that is often fertile soil for hopelessness and crime.
Our children deserve to be raised in homes and communities that respect their dignity and their rights, where violence is not tolerated and where there is always someone to step in on their behalf. We in this House must be that someone. I thank you. [Applause.]