Chairperson, service delivery and bringing facilities and services to the areas where people reside is at the core of the ANC-led government programme for the next five years. Once more, the ANC-led government is upholding the values of respect and the protection of human rights in order to give effect to the spirit and letter of the Constitution.
On 28 August 2009, at Botshabelo Stadium in the Free State, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe, designated all magistrate courts as equality courts in order for them to be used as tools for gender transformation and a means to redress gender-based violence, the protection of victims of such violence and all other practices including traditional, customary and religious practices that impair the dignity of women, undermine equality between women and men as well as the dignity of the girl-child.
We call on all South Africans, including ourselves and the courts, to educate our constituencies about this Equality Act by raising public awareness so as to enhance understanding and public participation in order to enforce the principle, "Working together we can do more." I thank you. [Applause.]