Minister of Basic Education Education, Siviwe Gwarube says it is understandable that people are fuming over the the rape of a seven-year-old girl, Cwecwe, however now is the time to unite in action against the violence perpertuated over women and children.

Gwarube was speaking at the annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial Lecture held at the Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, said, "This event is not just to honour the memory of a remarkable young woman whose life was taken far too soon but also to reflect on what we do going forward to protect and empower women and children."

This event seeks not only to honour the memory of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a former student at the University of Cape Town who was raped and killed in Claremont in 2019, but also to facilitate conversations among the public on how to fight against the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared GBVF a national pandemic in his 2021 State of the Nation Address and called for the nation to join hands in fighting it to protect women and children.

Gwarube said, "Uyinene was to all of us a call to action, a moment to reflect on the unacceptably high levels of violence against women and children in our country, and a moment to acknowledge that the government failed her as it fails countless women and young children on a daily basis."

Speaking about the case of Cwecwe, a 7-year-old primary school learner who was raped at school, Gwarube called for swift action to confront not only this case but all cases of such nature countrywide.

Gwarube said, "We cannot simply be angry. We must let that anger fuel us into action. This child was brutally violated, and her perpetrators are yet to be found and prosecuted."

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta said the crime against Cwecwe is deeply concerning and is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that perpetuate violence against children, particularly girls.

Makaneta said, "The safety and well-being of our children are non-negotiable, and it is our collective responsibility as a society to ensure that they are protected from harm. We owe it to Cwecwe and her family to ensure that justice is served and that no child ever has to endure what she went through. Let us stand together to demand justice for Cwecwe and to create a safer, more just society for all our children."

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Protect South Africa's women and children: Minister's plea at Uyinene memorial lecture