Speaking at the annual Carols at Leeuwenhof party for more than 700 disadvantaged children on Sunday 9 December, Rasool said: "We have said the Western Cape must become a Home for All, but it will not become a Home for All if our children are not safe. Our children should not have to fear adults and our children should be able to realise their full potential."
Rasool said that since his family had moved into Leeuwenhof, the Premier's official residence, in 2004, they decided to have a Christmas party for children. Since then thousands of children had attended the Carols at Leeuwenhof event, mostly from hospitals, orphanages and homes for the disabled.
"This year, we have more than 700 children at Leeuwenhof from the Western Cape Government's 21 Priority Areas where we know there are big problems," said Rasool.
"We know that in those 21 Areas the problems of child and women abuse is a serious problem and it is influenced by drugs, alcohol and gangs - that is why we are focussing on those areas.
"So we got all of you together so that we can create a good Christmas spirit for all our children. We brought you here today not only to sing, not only to meet father Christmas and get presents, but also to say that we love the children of the Western Cape."
The children were entertained by, amongst others, Father Christmas and the Elves, who arrived in a fire engine from the Cape Town Fire Station to hand out gifts.
The Premier thanked sponsors McDonalds, First National Bank, Spar, Coke, Source.com, Mecer, The Train Lodge, and Faritec for "helping to spread the Christmas spirit".
Jeremy Michaels
Chief Director: Communications
Department of the Premier
Provincial Government of the Western Cape
Cell: +27 (0)82 772 1122
Office: +27 (0)21 483 9955
Fax: +27 (0)21 483 7196
Email: jmichaels@pgwc.gov.za
Postal address: PO Box 659, Cape Town, 8000.
Physical address: Office of the Premier, Mezzanine Level, M7, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001.
Website: http://www.capegateway.gov.za/premier
iKhaya Lethu Sonke - A Home for All - 'n Tuiste vir Almal
