No Place for Abuse on Roads

The 16-day campaign – Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children – kicked off on 25 November 2003 and, as MEC for Transport, I repeat my urgent call to all to protect our children and women.

My call to reject abuse against women and children is not new. As the Executing Authority for Transport in KwaZulu Natal, I reiterate that violence against women and children will not be tolerated in any form. Offenders will be dealt with strong and harsh action.

I urge all South Africans to take part in the campaign against abuse. All forms of violence, be it road rage; cryptic bumper stickers degrading women; or reckless driving putting lives at risk, are a violation of human rights.

Recklessness, drunken driving, road rage and intolerance on the roads leads to fatalities and injuries claiming lives of passengers, drivers, pedestrians. This has to stop. As South Africans every person deserves the right to life.

As this year’s campaign’s strong focus will be to involve men and boys in discussions on combating violence, I urge for an interventionist approach.

We must unite in opposing and rejecting rape, murders and assaults. Our rejection of these social evils must be accompanied by acceptance of the supreme values of Ubuntu. At the centre of Ubuntu lies a deep respect for the sanctity of life.

Violence against women and children on our roads takes many forms, including road rage. It has more to do with the driver’s own moods and lack of tolerance than it has to do with traffic or other road users. In most cases it culminates in physical assaults and sometimes children have to watch the grim spectre of their mothers being attacked by strangers.

Until men change their attitudes, violence against women on roads will never stop. We must expose and isolate those drivers and pedestrians who display negative attitudes against women on our roads. Stickers bearing cruel jokes about women’s weight and their physical appearances must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Those who attach them on their cars or taxis must know that these silly jokes not only degrade women but they also encourage negative attitudes that lead to violence against them.

The chauvinistic habit of "Ukugeyima", (to play a game) must come to an end. This is a foolish and deadly display of masculinity with dangerous consequences. Although it is not directly related to violence against women and children, it nonetheless encourages aggressive driving habits that put the lives of innocent women and children at risk.

We want peace on our roads. I urge all South Africans to unite against the carnage. It is your responsibility to expose the culprits who perpetrate any kind of violence. Report all crimes to the Mpimpa Hotline (086 221 1010). By so doing you will have played a very significant role in combating violence against women and children on our roads.

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