Cape Town - Rallying camaraderie in pain has been the fire that started up many anti-GBV organisations.
Uniting people from diverse backgrounds, with different stories but one message - to fight the scourge of gender-based violence by equipping women and people affected by their traumatic circumstances.
The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation was started up in the wake of her death, however, focuses on the legacy of the values Steenkamp held dear as a law student, said foundation director Tania Koen.
Steenkamp was murdered by her lover and former professional sportsman Oscar Pistorius on Valentine’s Day during 2013.
“Our foundation is focused on education and to empower against power and abuse. We also advise our clients around protection orders for those who find themselves in abusive situations especially with husbands. We direct our clients who might need help to get to a safe haven to get away from their situation. We do not have a safe haven or accommodation for victims who need to get away as these situations are very traumatic for the mothers and children - especially if there are kids involved.
“Our work has also focused on collaboration with other GBV organisations to assist victims to the best of our ability. The statistics around GBV are horrendous and we are intent on doing the work to assist those in need and empowering women to take back their power,” said Koen.
The foundation will next year commemorate the ten-year anniversary of Steenkamp’s death and in continuing her legacy, the foundation has been able to fund annual bursaries to final year law students. This year, the bursary was awarded to their first male recipient Cheslin Marsh.
Marsh was with Stellenbosch student Hannah Cornelius in 2017 when they were robbed, kidnapped and assaulted by gangsters. Cornelius was raped and beaten to death by a gang of assailants.
From another horror crime that gripped the country, the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UMF) was founded, said foundation spokesperson, Lannice Bosman.
“(Mrwetyana’s) passing elevated the GBV debate across the country and internationally. UCT students and community members at large marched to Parliament to present a memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa to urge the government to put an end to GBV.
“We are committed to continue the fight against GBV hence the formation of the Foundation which is the vehicle we will utilise to continue her legacy. The Foundation is the custodian of Uyinene’s life and times. We are a committed facilitator of her living legacy. Our mandate is to promote her lifelong vision of fighting all forms of injustice against women,” said Bosman.
The Foundation’s aim is to empower young people to stand against violence.
“UMF seeks to continue the fight against GBV by focusing on its three key pillars namely; Prevention, Support and Youth Leadership development. The foundation is committed to seeing a society that is free of gender-based violence, by being an instrumental partner, and a platform for youth engagement, in the fight against gender- based violence,” said Bosman.
Trustee of 1000 Women 1Voice, Tina Thiart said their 17-year-old NPO evolved to not just raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence and inspire women, but to strengthen women-led initiatives across the country that work tirelessly to bring hope, protection and knowledge to women living in abusive relationships.
“Over the past 17 years, we have engaged with over 1000 formal and informal organisations working directly with women and girls on issues related to gender-based violence and human rights. We have successfully activated women in the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Northern Cape,” said Thiart.
The organisation focuses on advocacy and awareness, healing and sharing, grant making which lends support to struggling shelters and women’s’ organisations who manage support programmes but are too small to attract donors.
“During the past 2 years we have heard the stories of so many women and children who are survivors of gender-based violence. Recently the rate of femicide has increased by 117% and South African women have said #EnoughisEnough #AmINext #SpeakOut. We salute these women and young women, who have been courageous to share their stories, motivate and encourage so many other women who for years had to carry the burden with them,” said Thiart.
The organisation offers a range of programmes including WhatsApp training for women and men to provide trauma support and life-coaching to survivors of GBV and through this initiative, 6480 women completed the WhatsApp training.
Another programme offered is basic legal training for women where currently 200 women are receiving training.
On the Cape Flats, activist Roegshanda Pascoe said the Manenberg Safety Forum was birthed as a campaign in the community.
“At that time during 2009 and 2010, Manenberg was gripped in heightened gang violence. We embarked on taking back our streets and building resistance against the violence. Taking Back our Streets was a campaign that we prided and still pride ourselves in as it spread like wildfire across the Cape Flats and is still prevalent today.
“I have done a lot of collaborative work with other organisations as we are a multi-sectoral organisation. When we speak of safety and security, we speak of the essence of our daily loves of any human being. We had nothing when we started out and... were supported by friends and family. The Religious Leaders Forum came and they helped with the mediation between gangs and helped bring stability and focus on the broader outlook and how to build networks,” said Pascoe.
Get in touch with the organisations:
- Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation: 082 575 7607
- Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation: 0437211265
- 1000Women1Voice: 080 042 8428
- Manenberg Safety Forum: 082 237 9879
Cape Times