Ekangala's young man takes a stand against abuse

16 days of activism for no violence against women and children runs from 25 November to the 10th of December every year

This year marks the 26th year of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children. One in three women in South African experiences abuse, and that is why 25 year old Nkosingiphile Nkosi of Ekangala Section H started the campaign, #NotUnderMyWatch to try and encourage men to stand up and protect the women next to them."I am the only male amongst females at home, I realized that if I do not stand up against abuse no one will," said Nkosi. He said that he was hit very hard by Karabo Mokoena's incident and seeing many women being abused without anyone doing anything.

The campaign was launched on Saturday,  09 December 2017 at the Kingdom life church in Dark City, Ekangala. The youth came out in their numbers to support this great initiative. Nkosi said that the protection of women should be an everyday thing, he said: "Never turn a blind eye, even if you may not be able to intervene, you can always report the matter to the police."
"My plan is to do this annually. I hope that the people who came here today had a change of attitude and mindset."

Inspired by Khumbul'ekhaya's Andile Gaelesiwe, Nomvula Sibanyoni* (18) was able to share her story at the event. She said that she was raped at the age of five, " I never knew anything when I was raped that is why I kept quite, I only understood that I was raped when I turned 12 years old," she said. She added that she was really delighted about the event."At last we are able to have events that raise awareness and we as victims and survivors of abuse are able to share our story with anyone without being judged, said Sibanyoni.

Sibanyoni said that talking is part of the healing process."The more you talk about what happened to you is the more you find healing for yourself. We should have more of these events so that other victims may we able to speak out too."

Ekangala resident, Bontle Masombuka said that she was happy about the event. "People need to get the message so that abuse can come to an end," she said. She said that she there is no way a lady can lead on a man to rape her by the way she dresses. "Each and every person should wear what makes them comfortable. No one has a right to rape you, it is wrong," said Masombuka.

The cast of South Africa's first made for cinema dance film, Hear Me Move also performed at the event. They are doing their educational theatre tour aimed at educating students across Gauteng about the dangers of gender based violence and bullying. Hear Me Move works hand in hand with Kwanele-Enuf is Enuf Campaign during this year's 16 days of activism to give platform to the youth

*Source's name withheld for her protection
Please forgive me for the lack of pictures, my blog ia giving me problems.

Prayer for less accidents in Tshwane

The Tshwane community gathered on Thursday, 02 November 2017 on the R80 Mabopane highway for their 5th annual spiritual intervention and road safety campaign. This follows the huge number of accidents and deaths that take on road every year. The gathering was attended by different churches, Road Accident Fund, NGOs, taxi associations, business sectors and the MMC for environment and agriculture in Tshwane. 

Community activist and organizer, John Molepo said that he was happy about the outcomes of the prayers that they hold on the road annually. "I am very delighted because since we have started this initiative, the number of  deaths has been reduced," said Molepo.

"This time last year we had 304 accidents, this year November we have only 249."

Molepo said that the best outcome of the campaign would be to see lesser accidents on the Mabopane highway. He added that the behavior of the motorists is still a challenge. "We have since been calling for the visibility of traffic officers on the road and we still wish to see the behavior changing," he said.

 Mckeed Mogale, chairperson of the Soshanguve Taxi Owners Association (Sotoa) said that it was unfair that all the blame should be put on taxi drivers. "The road is not used by the taxi drivers only, every motorist should be responsible and follow the rules and regulations of the road," Nogale said.

"We are only blames because we carry a large number of passengers."

Mogale said that it was important that the passengers work together with them to ensure that the taxi drivers are responsible on the roads. He said: "We cannot know that our taxi drivers are reckless unless they are reported. Our passengers do not want to report the taxi drivers that are reckless on the roads."

MMC for environment and agriculture in Tshwane, Michael Mkhari encouraged the community members to work together in putting a stop to the accidents. "It is important for us to hold hands and educate each other. The message is being spread but numbers are increasing, we have to make sure that we minimize the number of deaths," he said.

A moment of silence was held and candles were lit as a sign of remembering those who have lost their lives on the Mabopane high way.

Pictures: John Molep Facebook page

Hope for life encourages feminism

Feminism from google: The advocacy of the women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

Women  believe that there is nothing a man can do and they cannot do, and they are advocating, preaching and campaigning for their voices to be heard. Among other things that the women want, is fair treatment, their voices to be heard, equal representation in public and higher positions in this developing world.

The young women of  Hope for life hosted an event with the theme "I am a feminist". The organizers of the event said that some women still depend on men, especially when it comes to finances and they saw that there is no equality between these two sexes. One of the organizers, Gracious Mamashele said: "We saw that that many women are being oppressed by men."
"We want women to stand up for themselves, and they should know that they can do things for themselves." Mamashele said that their main aim is for women's voices to be heard in the society.

The event was graced by the presence of an award winning presenter, Tebogo Maunatlala who shared her heartbreaking story. Maunatlala said her journey was not an easy one because she learnt to become an adult at the age of seven when her mom was hospitalized for a very long time, she said her dad just vanished and was nowhere to be found. "I found myself a boyfriend who was from a rich family, I believed that he loved me but all he did was to abuse and control me." she said. Talking about feminism, Maunatlala said: "I believe that women deserve equal right to men, there is nothing that a man can do that I cannot do as a woman."
"As women we need to stand firm in our ground, we need to stop undermining each other."

Tebogo Maunatla giving motiavtion at the I am a feminist event

Adeline Moagi from People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) encouraged the women who were at the event to never be intimidated by men and that they should speak out when they are being abused. She said that a woman has a right to negotiate for a condom with her partner. "You may be married but it does not mean that you are obliged to have sex whenever your partner wants to," she said.
She emphasized the fact it is not a woman's job to stay in the kitchen and make sure that everyone has eaten and that the house is clean.
"We are both from work, which means we are both tired so why should I stay and prepare supper and wash the dishes while you read a newspaper?" asked Moagi.

The young women who attended this event got to hear wise words of encouragement from various speakers who shared their life experiences. The guest speakers mentioned that a woman can make it in the man's territory. Among other speakers was 24-year-old Melani Madigaga, Busisiwe Lukhele and Lindelani Mbambale-Mathobo who also shared their struggles and how they are now climbing the success ladder. They also gave tips on how the women can stay strong and keep on winning.

Owner of an audit firm, Lindelani Mbambale-Mathobo

Kahile Moremi, who attended the event said that she learnt a lot from all the speakers, "I have learnt more about saying no to doing what I do not want to do," said Moremi
"I've heard people talking about their backgrounds and their experiences, our lives are not determined by our past, this event has changed me."

Gracious and Gabisile of Hope for life

Hope for life "I am a feminist" event in pictures