KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has reiterated the call to the inter-faith community to continue praying for all communities afflicted by crime, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), rape and murder.
“It is my view that crime prevention cannot be left to be the responsibility of government alone. Let us all hold hands and work together,” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube made the call during the Provincial Youth Committee Gospel Arts and Culture Competition, held in Mthwalume, South Coast on Sunday. Participants in the competition showcased their talents and competitive spirit in gospel music, arts and culture.
The Premier said violence meted out against women in particular, is a shame and is a threat to all social cohesion and nation-building efforts.
“Today’s event reminds us that our communities are plagued by the scourge of GBVF and Crime in general. Crime here in the Mthwalume area in recent years and GBVF in particular has been a major worry.
“While the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele has assured me that the crimes of murder especially GBVF are being attended to, I urge the community to work closely with the SAPS [South African Police Service] to do everything to address all the sources of crime in this area and in the rest of the province,” she said.
The Premier said the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), places power in the hands of artists.
“With access to technology artists can now interact directly with their audience, create songs and post to all streaming platforms without the help of a manager or record label. This can take place whether you are Johannesburg or New York or even in a backroom here in Mthwalume.
“While the labels and record companies still do have a place, artists are now positioned better to attract success before labels get to them. Today’s event is therefore more than just entertainment or competition, but is an opportunity to minister, and also to provide economic empowerment opportunities in music and the performing arts to artists from all over our province,” the Premier said.
She added that bringing a gospel competition to Mthwalume is a demonstration that gospel music, which is one of the most popular genres in South Africa, belongs to the people. She said it underlines her belief that development of rural areas is as important as addressing the issue of services in rural areas.
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