The briefing will cover updates on matters which the Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) has been engaging with and which have been featured in the media. The WCPO will also provide a report back on activities undertaken during 2023 and inform the media of goals for 2024. In addition, updates will be provided on advocacy and monitoring activities. There will also be an opportunity for those members of the media who have not yet done so, to meet with new Human Rights Commissioner Mr. Aseza Gungubele who has been assigned as the Commissioner who will provide assistance and support the work of the Commission in the Western Cape.  

The media briefing affords members of the media the opportunity to meet with the colleagues in the provincial office who have provided information at their request. This stakeholder relationship building is beneficial in ensuring that reporting on matters of human rights can be undertaken in a manner which edifies the public. The importance of the role of the media in carrying out one of the principal mandates of the Commission, to educate, will also be covered. Relationship building also ensures that members of the media have a better chance at securing information required to meet deadlines since the journalist or editor requesting the information will no longer be a disembodied email address but a real person known to the colleagues in question.

The additional outcome of the briefing is that members of the media will be afforded a broader perspective on the work of the Commission. Such insight may enable articles and inserts which are of interest and benefit to the audience, but which may not have caught the attention of the media. The WCPO accordingly looks forward to meeting with members of the media and to generating many new ideas for articles and programme inserts among members of the media.  Members of the media are therefore encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to build relationships.

The WCPO will share its guiding vision for addressing ongoing human rights violations in the province along with its plans for the remainder of Human Rights Month.

Ends

For further information, contact the Western Cape Provincial Office  Advocacy and Research Consultant Ms Tammy Carter via telephone on number 021 426 2277  or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. alternatively the Provincial Manager, Ms Zena Nair @ 021 426 2277/0723626467 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..