Transnet Port Terminals [TPT] staff based in Durban took to the streets dressed all in white, on the 25th of November 2015 in support of the official start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Their aim was to raise as much awareness as possible around this international campaign.
According to General Manager of TPT, Human Resources, Dumisani Khuzwayo, the company’s support of this campaign won’t end with the march as other internal initiatives are in place over the next 16 days. “TPT calls on all communities to play their part in eradicating all social ills and not just over the next 16 days, but on every day of the year. Our main motivation is to challenge perpetrators of violence to change their behaviour and to also involve men in helping to eradicate violence from our homes and work places. We ultimately want to let the public and our own staff know that the issue of violence towards women and children is a very prevalent one in our society and one that can no longer be tolerated. I am proud to say that TPT has a history of empowering women and the youth, which is evident through the many development programmes and bursaries offered by the company yearly. The internal campaigns, we will be running throughout the next 16 days will provide staff with information on services and organisations that can help survivors of violence by providing them with the support they need to move on with their lives,” stated Khuzwayo.
The TPT gathering marched peacefully and in unison from TPT’s head offices in Kingsmead Office Park at 9am to Somtseu Road, along NMR road and Kingsmead way before making their way back to wrap the surrounding trees in white in support of the campaign. Also catching the attention of passing motorists and the general public of Durban is an oversized, six metre ribbon erected at the front of the Transnet Office building.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children takes place every year from 25th of November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December. International Children’s Day and World AIDS Day also fall within the 16 day period.
