The DA should stop trying to score cheap political points by dragging the department
12 October 2023
The Gauteng Department of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, MEC Mbali Hlophe has noted the statement issued by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development on hosting the 365 Men of the Year Awards.
In a statement, the DA’s Refiloe Nt’sekhe claims that money forfeited by non-compliant Gauteng NPOs will be used to fund the Men’s Awards.
The Department would like to put the record straight and clarify the misguided and exasperating information uttered by the DA.
Spanning for 9 years, the 365 Men of the Year Awards were created to identify and celebrate exemplary male figures who help to transform South African men towards a peaceful gender sensitive society. It is no secret that our country is amongst the highest of those who have violent crimes and GBV rates globally, and such activities are but part and parcel of the ongoing work the Department does, to try to reduce the statistics. The Awards have honoured men who are doing extraordinary work in our communities to break the cycle of gender-based violence (GBV) and other social ills to bring about positive change in the country.