Taking a stand against femicide, gender-based violence

Johnson Matthey South Africa (JMSA), scores a goal against gender-based violence and femicide with special awareness campaign.

October 29, 2019

Leigh Hodgson 2 minutes read

Team members of the Protectors (from the Germiston Police Station), Strikers (from Johnson Matthey), Blues (from Johnson Matthey), Jakaranda (from Johnson Matthey) and EXT-9 (a local community team) prepare for the festivities at Johnson Matthey South Africa's (JMSA) gender-based violence and femicide awareness campaign, last Saturday. The event was held at the company in Germiston.

Gender-based violence and femicide are topics on the tip of many people’s tongues and at the forefront of many people’s minds.

For local company Johnson Matthey South Africa (JMSA), based in Germiston South, who pride themselves on immersing themselves in and helping their local community these are topics that can not be ignored.

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“The JMSA wellness team organised a special gender-based violence and femicide awareness campaign, last Saturday, in partnership with Khuluma Ndoda Projects,” said Tobeka Xoko, the company’s well-being and community involvement leader.

“The theme for the event was ‘Score a goal against Femicide’.

“The purpose of this campaign, which was held at the company’s facilities in Germiston, was to create a safe place for the women, not only employed by JMSA, but also within the community we are based in.

“It also aimed to address gender-based violence and femicide as a whole, which is a threat to our society.”

Tobeka further explained that the wellness team believed that the campaign would yield the much-needed change among the men invited to the event in their respective homes, as well as in the communities they live in.

Among the activities on the day, which included dramatic performances and speeches, five football teams took to the field in four friendly matches.

The teams were Protectors (from the Germiston Police Station), Strikers (from Johnson Matthey), Blues (from Johnson Matthey), Jakaranda (from Johnson Matthey) and EXT-9 (a local community team).

Before the matches began Ndima Rawana, the human resources director for Johnson Matthey, challenged the teams to score as many goals as possible.

“We hope to make this a yearly event,” Ndima said.

“Johnson Matthey will donate R1 000 per goal to the local community for gender-based violence programmes.”

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A total of 12 goals were scored throughout the day, meaning R12 000 will be donated to the community.

Strikers were named the winners of the tournament and lifted the trophy.

“The event was a huge success,” said Tobeka.

“Thank you to our stakeholders Khuluma Ndoda Projects, Lifeline, Germiston SAPS, Germiston SAPS Victim Empowerment Centre, Department of Community Safety, Kaofela Rehabilitation and Skills Development Centre and Germiston Community Policing Forum, just name a few, for their support.

“A big thank you goes to the community for their support of this event and making it a success.”