Former South African soccer ace, Benni McCarthy broke down at a press conference on Friday when he disclosed that he had an abusive father.
He said his upbringing in Hanover Park, Cape Town was not easy and that he was surrounded by crime, gang life, murder and abuse. It was not easy watching his late father abuse his mother. It could have impacted his life negatively, yet he chose to prove to his father that he was a better man. McCarthy is now a proud father of four beautiful little girls.
On Friday it was announced that he would join the fight against child abuse. He further announced his support and endorsement of child rights group Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA).
McCarthy said he was proud to assist such a worthy organisation in its fight against child abuse in all its forms. Having daughters, he said, he knows there is nothing more important than the safety of our children.
“WMACA has supported many survivors and has been instrumental in improving the rights of the child in South Africa. I know the help I will give to expand this work is essential to the future of our nation’s youngsters,” said McCarthy.
Welcoming the news, WMACA’s director, Vincentia Dlamini said, “I want to congratulate Benni McCarthy on speaking out against child abuse and supporting our organisation. As WMACA enters its 20th year, the recognition and awareness will bring invaluable support to continue our work to rid South Africa of child abuse. Not just that, but having him willing to stand up and speak out on the subject sets an example to society that, if we are going to tackle abuse, we are going to have to be willing to acknowledge its huge impact and talk about how we can end it.
Too many people and too many communities would rather stay silent, and I know that his example will help change that. In just a one-year period we have assisted in more than 1 896 new cases of child abuse through our Kidz Clinics!”
WMACA is a non-governmental organisation providing free help to victims of child abuse in South Africa, giving direct support to children through its Kidz Clinics in Boksburg and Alexandra, and fighting for better rights for survivors, proper sentences for abusers and public awareness of the terrible impact these crimes have on individuals, communities and society. It was founded in 1997, and has been instrumental in changing laws, attitudes to abuse and in the treatment of victims.
“With our 20th anniversary coming up, we’ll be doing more than ever for the 16 Days of Activism,” says Dlamini, “We’ll be raising awareness and talking about our work, and the announcement of support from Benni McCarthy is the perfect start. And we must not forget, while we campaign and raise awareness, our staff is on the ground, every day, to help children. That’s why we’re here, and why we need help to always be there for those most in need and who have nowhere else to turn.”
