The German automobile, BMW and its board members in collaboration with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the German Chancellor, Angel Markel, hosted an event in Pretoria, at the BMW’s plant in Rosslyn, on Thursday 06 February 2020 to handover five BMW i3 motor vehicles to the South African Business Coalition on Health and AIDS (SABCOHA). The SABCOHA will manage the vehicles on behalf of the multi-sectoral interim steering committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)
Speaking at the event, President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation in working with BMW and German chancellor, Angel Markel, towards the battle against the ongoing abuse of women.
“The existence and growth of BMW in South Africa demonstrate the long-standing economic ties between the two countries.
He thanked BMW for having a hand and responding to challenges that South Africa is facing and making a contribution against GBVF.
“I can say BMW is a South African company as much as it is a Germany company. The donated vehicles are also electric powered and will help reduce carbon emissions
The President said since last year the South African government have been implementing emergency response plans to arrest GBVF perpetrators and much progress has been made in this regard.
“We are also blessed to have women in our country who organized themselves to fight GBVF, we thank you we and applaud you for being brave and standing up for your rights.
“I am saying today, we are in this fight together and we will continue to be,” said President Ramaphosa.
German Chancellor, Angel Markel, said she is pleased BMW partnered with the South African government to assist in stopping the GBVF because it is a global crisis.
BMW said they are proud and thankful to have employed a great number of South Africans and they will continue contributing in many other ways to the success of South Africa.
Minister of Women, Youth and Person with Disabilities, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, condemned the violation of women’s rights and urged all South Africans to distance themselves from such behaviour.
She said government strategies to address GBVF in all forms are in place and there is adequate support for victims, survivors as well as counselling services and justice for victims.
“I would like to call on all business to be involved because GBVF affects all of society in the country and globally,” said Minister Nkoane-Mashabane.
