Awareness campaign addresses GBV and femicide in Kempton Park

Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare and Community Organisation hosted a 5km fun walk on September 24 to raise awareness of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Community members of all ages came dressed in their gym gear, ready to participate.

The Kempton Express caught up with Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare founder Cynthia Dinalane.

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“This is our third annual GBVF fun walk.

“We need to invite children to these kinds of campaigns so they can learn at an early age about it and how to protect themselves,” she said.

She said the organisation received support from the community, and it was crucial for the community, organisations, and the SAPS to work together to eradicate GBVF in Kempton Park.

CPF chairperson Ronnie Ross Allen joined the Kempton Park SAPS at the event.

Stakeholders such as People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Sports and Recreation, The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and Mrs Grand South Africa pageant finalist, Tsholofelo Monyepao, were also part of the walk.

Colonel Motsatsi Lesomo encouraged the community to unite in the fight against this pandemic and to always report incidents related to GBV to the police.

Attendees received sanitary pads, tissues, and toiletries. Some items were also donated to Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare.

The Midrand Learners Transport Association also took part in the walk.

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They aimed to raise awareness of GBVF and help Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare with necessities like nappies, pads and toiletries.

The Thembisa Stakeholder Forum public relations officer, Muhammed Gadimang, spoke to Kempton Express.

“We need to understand that most of the time, men are the perpetrators of GBVF, so it’s important for us to participate in these campaigns and take a stand against violence aimed at women,” he said.

Gadimang said not every man was a perpetrator of violence against women, but the men who were not perpetrators needed to stand up and defend the vulnerable in society – women.