Kwa-Thema – Women’s Month has been a busy time for Arise and Shine Sifazane because the organisation had programmes across Kwa-Thema.
On August 9, Sibongile Zwane, the organisation’s founder, held a talk at Christ Ambassadors Faith Church in Tornado.
Zwane wore makeup that made her look beaten and said it was time the abused, especially women, stopped hiding their scars and marks under makeup.
“It’s time that we stand up, speak up and get all the necessary help, including counselling,” Zwane said.
She said the organisation helped everyone suffering abuse to speak up.
“Even in the Bible, in 2 Samuel 13, a girl was raped by her half-brother, and she spoke out as she tore the garment she used to wear, which showed she was a virgin. We should also speak out as God’s children,” she said.
On August 18, the organisation donated sanitary pads to girls from Phomolo and Tornado, who met at an open ground in Tornado where the old Kwa-Thema Combined School was.
The girls played netball, section vs section, and were spoken to about abuse. Speaking to the girls, Zwane said abuse did not have an age because young people could also be abused.
However, they shouldn’t allow it to happen but speak out if it happened to them or their friends.
Zwane encouraged the girls to speak to their parents or elders when they started their monthly period and told them they shouldn’t feel less confident because every female had periods.
On Saturday, a fat cake business in Phomolo run by two women received a donation of fat cake ingredients from Zwane.
“This was to say ‘arise and shine in your business’,” she said.
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On Sunday, the organisation invited a netball team from Mzumbe to the church owned by Zwane and her husband, Baal Perazim Christian Home.
They were given sanitary pads and advised what to do when facing abuse. Zwane said she appreciated the donations because she could continue doing the Lord’s work.
“I noticed the teams playing on Friday don’t even have a kit, and it was said they might end up being discouraged and leave the sport,” she said.
Those who can donate can contact Zwane on 073 084 0569.
