Hundreds of safety and security women volunteers were treated to a high tea and thanked for keeping the streets and communities safe.
The tea at Lentegeur civic centre on Friday August 16, marked the Department of Community Safety’s second Women’s Month event to recognise the contributions of women in neighbourhood watches and community police forums (CPFs).
“It is my absolute honour to recognise the unsung heroines of the Western Cape who put their lives on the line to safeguard their communities,” said Community Safety MEC, Albert Fritz.
“As I travel about the Western Cape and engage with communities, I increasingly notice that women make up a significant number of the neighbourhood watch volunteers and CPF members,” he said.
Mr Fritz said it was common to see women at the forefront in the fight against crime and gangsterism.
“I truly admire that these leaders have not given up, as they are an integral part of the fight against crime and gangsterism. They personally take on the responsibility of safety, which is what every model citizen should do to create a safer society,” he said.
Mr Fritz said he recently attended a community meeting in Hanover Park where he met women who were role models to young girls as they were actively playing their part to make the province safer.
“Equally, they show young girls that they too can take charge and make their communities safer. It was fantastic to see that the sisters, aunties, mothers and grandmothers of the community are standing up together and saying no – to crime and gangsterism,” he said.
He pledged his support and commitment to partner with the community to ensure that women can continue to play a leading role in safeguarding the province.