Community tackles social ills

Modimolle-based NGO, Heaven’s Princess Organisationgathered the community at the Modimolle-Mookgophong Mayor’s Parlour on Saturday, 15 March, to discuss problems relating to gender-based violence.

Various speakers were lined up to address the audience, with an open dialogue at the end of every presentation allowing the attendants to exhaust the topics.

Health worker Dimakatso Marema advised the public on which route to take when confronted by problems, including sexual assault, while Thabo Selamolela of TS Counselling explained how various levels of stress and how to
distinguish between that and depression.

Pastor Felix Fambi spoke from a religious point of view, while Nteteni Khwinana represented the South African Police Service.

Heaven’s Princess Organisation founder Boinette Selokela said the objective of the event was to empower both the victims and perpetrators with knowledge and strategies on how to deal with it.

“The aim was to educate the community about the gender-based violence and how to deal with it,” she said.

Selokela said the other purpose of the event was to make the community aware of the services and facilities available in the community.

“We want to achieve a community that advocates for anti-gender based violence and which stands together in eradicating it. In order to have a well-functioning community, community members have to be empowered with
education,” she said.

In his closing remarks, Councillor Rufus Mahoro urged locals to be the change that they want to see.

He thanked Heaven’s Princess and all other stakeholders for giving the community a platform where they can cough out some of their challenges, in a bid to find solutions.

— The BEAT