Rays of Hope host a candle-light ceremony against GBV
ALEXANDRA – Using the motto Shine Your Light, the organisation tackles gender-based violence by shining a bright light into the darkness.
To break the silence and play a role in curbing gender-based violence and femicide, Alexandra’s anti-GBV organisation Rays of Hope hosted an anti-GBVF candle-lighting ceremony on September 3 at Alexandra Sankopano Community Centre.
The event brought together several different stakeholders including Adapt, Masiphephe, SAPS, and Coach Mpilo to raise community awareness of violence against women in South Africa and mobilise the community to stand against gender-based violence.
Brenda Sibiya and Pastor Witts Mahloko from Alexandra Ministry Forum led the candlelight ceremony as testimonies and stories that were shared at the event left a lasting impression on the community members who attended the event.
The Rays of Hope coordinator for gender-based violence, Nhlanhla Mcunu, explained that the candles are symbolic of peace and light, representing individual candle-lightings to honour survivors of gender-based violence and to recall those who have lost their lives.
“Gender-based violence has been declared a national pandemic by the president of South Africa, and during the lockdown, we have seen a spike in domestic violence,” Mcunu said.
“This has been a shocking reality for South Africa in general but more, in particular, for the more vulnerable such as women and children.”
Using the motto ‘Shine Your Light’, Mcunu explained to Alex News that Rays of Hope tackles gender-based violence by shining a bright light into the darkness which is gender-based violence.
Mcunu argues that the community needs an army of men and women to raise sons that see women as equals and partners. “We must teach boys about respect, responsibility and equality as they grow up. Let us teach our children that no is no, even if you are my partner.
“Let us teach them that there is more to a woman than her body and looks. Equally, let us teach girls that their bodies are their precious assets and they belong to them and no one has a right to them except themselves.
“They must know it is very expensive and it can not be quantified by money. They must never find themselves in a position where they auction it to the highest bidder. Let us teach them, self-love.”
Nomalang Ngwenya from Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training said, “Every one is unique and was created in God’s image, let us use our given abilities to the fullest to contribute to curbing the spread of GBVF.”
Rays of Hope plans to host a silent march soon and encourages community members to follow their social media platforms on Rays of Hope for more information.
