A Tribute to Monique Valentine

Rhoda Southgate MP – ACDP

Tuesday, 10 September 2002


African Christian Democratic Party MP Rhoda Southgate today attended a Memorial Service in honour of Monique Valentine, the 16-year-old disabled girl who was brutally killed in a hijacking last week. At the service, which was held at the Oasis School, Mrs Southgate gave the following tribute to Monique:

I wish to extend my condolences to the Valentine family and to Monique’s friends at the Oasis school.

Monique was a unique and special person in her own right.
She enjoyed the love, respect and protection of her family and friends.

Her senseless death has left an indelible impact on her family, friends and community.

If we look through the eyes of children at the present portrait reflected from the face of South Africa and specifically the Western Cape, it does not inspire hope for the future, but rather a veil of crime and grime too dense to imagine a brighter tomorrow.

Gang wars, murders, rape, child abuse and poverty have blighted the innocent eyes of our children. We need to restore a sense of innocence within our children. Children need fields of dreams to imagine great exploits in the future. They need to feel safe and secure in their environment and development as healthy individuals. They need a sense of identity to experience family warmth, love, respect and responsible citizenship.

Children ask for nothing less than dignity and respect. The best way to know the future of a nation is when we look into the eyes of a child. If children lack education, good health and a safe environment, the greater the probability becomes that the potential growth of a nation will be slowed down.

We must protect our future generations at all costs.


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For further comment please call Rhoda Southgate MP at 082 875 8194 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 478 1037