JOBURG — Members of the community tell us what is on their minds about the plight to bring back the kidnapped Nigerian school girls, in relation to women's month.
Memory Ndlovu (31): I am not following the campaign anymore. I think the attention around it at the time only benefitted the people in power because it is not treated as an urgent matter anymore. We need to start a global and unified movement to remind people about the girls.
August represents much more than just women being able to vote in South Africa – this is a time when women and child abuse should be put under an intense spotlight – both on our shores and the rest of the continent where a majority of the female population are under the most extreme circumstances.
We took to the streets to find out if people still remembered and supported the popular campaign #BringBackOurGirls.
Mpolokeng Mofoka (28): Everyone has forgotten about that campaign right now and we don’t talk about it anymore. I think the countries in Africa need to unite because Nigeria cannot bring the girls back alone and we need to ensure that the kidnapped girls are still alive.
Sisa Mzibuko (24): As a woman, it saddens me to think what the girls are going through and what is being done to them. Global leaders need to gather a strong army or team to start negotiations with Boko Haram. We need also get social groups to find solutions and plights to bring back the girls.
Mpho Ramokgadi (31): We need to keep reminding society with continuous campaigning for the girls and maybe have regular reminders of the day the girls were kidnapped, especially on Women’s Month. We should also produce documentaries relating to similar cases.
Casey Rudling (19): I think we should have another video to remind everyone about the campaign, and drastic measures need to be taken to publicise the matter through the media and then people will take notice.
Mxolisi Mpofu (31): The campaign is quite forgotten among people, we just need to raise awareness around the situation. Maybe organise walks or events with posters to remind the public about the victims.”
Nomonde Mgojane (32): I don’t keep up with news when I am at work but I do sympathise with the family of the kidnapped girls, unfortunately we tend to forget about such misfortunes because, in this case, we are not directly affected in South Africa. As women we need to put ourselves in the shoes of the people affected and the way they are being treated.
Brenda Gobi (35): We forgot about the campaign because the hype died down from before. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the girls’ return and it is very important to highlight this situation during Women’s Month because the girls are very helpless.
Thembi Mulipah (50): I think it’s very hectic because people are not talking about it anymore, however, it is still important. All we can do is pray for their safety and for their families.
Memory Ndlovu (31): I am not following the campaign anymore. I think the attention around it at the time only benefitted the people in power because it is not treated as an urgent matter anymore. We need to start a global and unified movement to remind people about the girls.
MJ Ehlers (29): The time on the campaign has definitely died down and it seems it was only popular for a week and then everybody just focused on something else. I think the girls are not forgotten but we have just forgotten about the campaign.
