Program Director
Deputy Minister Mme Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu
Executive Mayors, Mayors, Councillors and MMC’s present
Government Officials
Members of the Media
Baagi ba rona bao ba kgonneng go iponatsha ka kwano gompieno
Dumelang.
Let me first start by acknowledging the partnership with Kfw, the German state owned bank. This wonderful centre that is being opened here today would not have been possible without their funding. Their funding has ensured that the dignity of the vulnerable is restored through the many programs that are offered in the centre.
Bagaetsho the benefits of using this centre are huge for the community. The centre offers empowerment opportunities for the residents through programs such as bead work, needle work, knitting and flower arrangement courses which will begin next year.
It is also in this centre that a range of educational awareness campaigns will be provided. From educating the youth about teenage pregnancy, to educating the entire community about substance abuse, parenting, HIV & Aids and child abuse which is currently a concerning issue in the country.
I cannot conclude talking about this centre without emphasizing the importance of looking after it. This is your own centre. Take good care of it.
Without much ado, let me introduce today’s keynote speaker, the Deputy Minister of Social development, Mme Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
- She is a mother, a disability rights, gender, children, youth and HIV & Aids activist. She is a policy analyst and developer, a trainer, researcher on disability, development and HIV and Aids. She is also a writer on disability with a number of publications under her name.
- She championed various ground breaking initiatives and activities which include being the Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Advisory Group on HIV and Aids, UNAIDS review Committee, the Co-Chair of the UN Agenda for women and girls on HIV & AIDS and the Chair of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control.
With a round of applause welcome the Deputy Minister of Social Development Mme Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu on stage to give us a keynote address.
DATE: 22 NOVEMBER 2019
