Paarl is dressed for 16 Days of Activism

Paarl the third-oldest town in South Africa with its famous vineyards and glistening mountain range is not only the home of various sportsman and woman. The town where world icon, former president Nelson Mandela, gave his first steps as a free man is now setting another example.

The annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children which runs from November 25^th to December 10^th is aimed at creating awareness about the huge negative impact domestic violence has.

The first resident of the municipal area, adv. Gesie van Deventer, executive Mayor of Drakenstein, started the initiative to “dress” the municipal area to increase awareness and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.

Amanda Mostert, a local activist – who herself was a victim of abuse and rape – heard the mayor’s plea and together with other role-players are aiming to a create a mammoth campaign – the same year as South Africa commemorating 20 years of freedom and democracy – in partnership with business and local residents.

Residents and businesses are urged to support the campaign by:

(1) Purchasing an awareness package which contains a branded coffee mug; t-shirt and white ribbon (which you are urged to wear daily.)

(2) Participate in the various 16 Days of Activism events and activities taking place.

A 115 business in the town have geared themselves for the campaign. By gearing yourself, with the awareness package, you show your support for the 16 Days of Activism, everyday!

Campaign information is also provided to businesses that take part, to empower their staff to learn more and assist people in trauma situations.

The community is also encouraged to keep a whistle ready for the opening and closing of the project, where everybody will make sure at 12:00 on November 25^th and December 10^th, their voice against domestic violence is hear loud and clear.

Paarl, the largest of the wineland towns, with a population of more than 112 000 (according to Census 2011) can surely make the biggest noise and unite for 16 Days of Activism.

Youth need to take responsibility

The recent killings of young people in the valley make a fellow youngster feel uncomfortable.

Not so long ago, the death of a young person would shock an entire community, but these days you get the impression people are not shocked, as the killing of innocents has become part of the norm.

If one could argue that the average age of young people who die is between 18 and 24, it would mean they were born between 1989 and 1998, during the infant years of our democracy.

They were then children who had dreams of a free country in which they could raise their own children with hope.

Taking this into account, it poses the question: where did we fail and who is failing us?

I recall when I was in high school in 2002, learners were scared of being caught smoking.

Now children smoke in front of grown-ups.

One always reads that the communities know who the gangsters or criminals are, but surely we were not raised to be bad elements in our communities.

Nor would any parent want their child to use drugs or become a gangster.

I come from the same community and the same street as other bad elements and I am not bad.

The street you come from and the community you are raised in do not determine your destiny.

Responsibility and ownership is not determined by the government, but parents, the youth and society. Do communities not determine their identity?

I am fortunate enough to have grown up in two different areas. In both communities, neighbours knew and supported each other. Children could play in the street until late, without parents fearing a drive-by shooting.

After two decades, I now have to wonder and fear if it is safe for my child to play outside. But I should also wonder about my own safety, as violence in communities has become similar to buying bread – an everyday thing.

To fear is easy and it is human to fear the unknown, but I should ask myself: what am I doing to change that fear?

The solution to our problem is for all of us to work together.

The government and NGOs have the resources, funds, policies and strategies to assist communities with information and education.

Society has the ability to create their identity and they can do this by being an active community, one where neighbours know each other and, more importantly, talk to each other.

A society that does not accept what is happening, but one where they create an environment for children to play in the streets and where the elderly are allowed to walk to the shop and their religious gatherings, without fear.

For parents, it is important to know that before a child looks outside the door, they must be able to find role models in their home. Raising children to the best of their ability, parents need to be these role-models.

Although children have rights, parents should know that they can still discipline a child, without abusing the child and violating the child’s rights.

From an early age we were taught right from wrong, it should worry us that our youth despise this, favouring wrong over right.

Parents are merely the vessel that brings a child into the world and it is still my task as a child to be a responsible citizen and take ownership of my life and actions.

No quick remedy can fix our challenges, the answer lies with us as individuals.

So yes, the recent killings in our communities should not be accepted.

Whether they are gang-related or not, it is a societal issue that requires us to join hands.

We have been united by big sports games let us unite to take back our communities.

*Original opinion piece appeared in the Paarl Post of Thursday 20 November 2014

The humble golden boy of the Valley

I was privileged to attend the memorial service of Tinus Linee on Thursday 6^th November 2014

WHO WAS TINUS

Linee was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in April 2013 and sadly passed away on Monday 3 November 2014, aged 45, at his home in Paarl.

Marthinus "Tinus" Linee was a South African rugby player, who predominantly played centre. He played all his provincial rugby for Western Province and represented Western Province and the Stormers in Super Rugby. He played nine tour games for the Springboks between 1993 and 1994, but never played in a test for South Africa.

Linee attended Nederburg Primary School along with his future wife, Diana. This is the same school that delivered the likes of former Springbok Chester Williams and former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

TRIBUTES

Even before listening to the tributes, as you enter the hall, the attendance by the Paarl community spoke volumes of the golden boy of the valley – as one speaker described him.

Speaker after speaker spoke of a humble person, someone who believed, lived his dream and inspired others.

“Tinus proved how to realise dreams and to strive towards good things,” says adv. Gesie van Deventer, executive mayor of Drakenstein, in a letter to Linee’s widow, Diana.

Executive deputy mayor, Conrad Poole, described him as an ambassador of his own life, who never lost focus.

In his message of encouragement to the mourners, Father Grant Walters said “if you believe something, you live it and Tienie believed and lived as a Christian.”

Hon. Gert Oosthuizen, deputy minister of Sport and Recreation, in his keynote address said to an extend Tinus Linee was larger than live. “We should celebrate his success on and off the field.

Addressing the crowd dr. Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, said as the widow of a former rugby player herself, she recalls and can related to the pain of Diana. She appealed to the rugby community who stood by Linee, to continue supporting Diana now that Tinus is no longer there. “She will need the support now more than ever, don’t leave her behind and forget her.”

The minister apologised to the Linee family for being absent and not supporting them during the 18 months, when they needed her support the most. To his children she said they should remember he’s watching over them.

Mbombo started by saying she does not if Tinus knew what role-model he was for the youth. “He was a rock and role-model for society and our communities needs role-models.”

Breyton Paulse, program director, said in any tragic event, there’s a lesson to learn. “The lesson here is that Tinus Linee and Chester Williams have always been humble and that is the message to our youth, no matter what you achieve, to always remain humble.”

STATE FUNERAL

As the Memorial service started in Paarl, Acting Premier, Anton Bredell issued a statement saying the office of the Premier of the Western Cape takes note of a statement by the Presidency that it did not receive a request by Premier Helen Zille regarding the funeral of the late Linee. Bredell says the provincial government has decided to offer financial assistance for the funeral this coming Saturday in Paarl.

"President Jacob Zuma did not receive a letter from the government of the Western Cape requesting the granting of a provincial official funeral for former rugby player Mr Tinus Linee. The President once again extends his condolences to the family of Mr Linee," reads the statement by thepresidency.

Shortly after this the ANC Western Cape tweeted:

"the DA should stop making cheap party politics of the funeral of former Springbok and WP rugby player Tinus Linee."

"ANC demands of the premier and her cabinet to do whatever within their means to immediately come to the assistance of Linee’s family."

I attended the memorial service and mentioned the attendance alone said this was a Hero of the Valley, a role model for the youth. Reading the statements by both the presidency, office of the premier and ANC tweets I couldn't help but feel hurt and thought:

1) The debate to grant Tinus Linee a state funeral or not, is surely not who this humble smiling person was and it is definitely not how his loved ones would want to remember him. He was after all a down to heart person, a people’s person.

2) Would he have wanted all the big fuss? He’s probably the only rugby player who never left his birth place to go look for better opportunities and always remained humble.

3) Whether the premier sent the request to the president or not, surely the president took note or was advised about the outcry to declare an official funeral. If he did not take note or was not advised, I would be worried.

4) Is it not within the premiers powers to declare a provincial official funeral or should this be signed off by the president.

5) Was or is someone playing politics with the issue? If so, I think it is wrong as a community is still mourning.

6) When I heard the news of the passing of Tinus, my first thought was, he deserves a Civic funeral and now I wonder why the executive mayor did not declared one. I can recall other local heroes, who were role-models for society who received a Civic funeral.

7) Why are we playing the race card on this? 20 years into democracy this should not take place.

I strongly feel it is wrong of us as South African’s to compare the funeral of Tinus Linee to that of Senzo Meyiwa (Bafana Bafana captain who was murdered).

Meyiwa was at the time the current skipper of one of our national teams and in my humble opinion, it is only right to afford him a state funeral.

Linee, was a remarkable former rugby player, with a successful career and even though I support the proposal of a provincial funeral – I also think it is unfair to compare the two.

Whether he’s afforded an official funeral or not, that will not determine his legacy that should live on.

Or as executive deputy Mayor of Drakenstein Conrad Poole said: “may the tributes result in the creation of more Tinus Linee’s.