Based on statistics, South Africa is seen as having the highest incidences of rape in the world.
In 2013, JP Nobrega, then chief financial officer of an energy company, was sitting in traffic on his way to work. It was an ordinary day, the same old queue of cars steadily pacing the highway. Listening to his daily dose of the Breakfast Show with Darren Simpson on what was then known as 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Nobrega noticed something unusual. Every few minutes – four to be exact – a beep would echo over the airwaves, interrupting the daily broadcast.
He soon learnt that the beep symbolised every time someone was raped in the country, and was part of a rape campaign which was being broadcast in conjunction with Lead SA.
It was a hard-hitting realisation. For many it was frightening but it would remain just a momentary realisation. But for Nobrega, it was the planting of a very important seed that would grow and be nurtured into something far greater. He decided to leave his job, sold all of his valuable possessions and started Rada, a non-profit organisation based in Bryanston.
Rada is the acronym for Rape, Alcohol, Drug and Abuse and aims to help people become better, healthier and safer through various community projects. By taking positive, meaningful and effective action, the organisation aims to combat addiction by building comprehensive renewal centres starting in South Africa and thereafter, abroad.
“I heard the campaign [on the radio] and was mortified about the situation,” he said.
“I grew extremely emotional about it, had a lengthy discussion with Jacqueline Gilbert, [now] the MD of Rada, and shortly thereafter bonded the house and started Rada – May 2013, to be exact. Now I eat and breathe Rada. I juggle time between my tax practice and Rada work.”
The organisation adopts a holistic approach using proactive education programmes to develop skills, behaviours and attitudes which they hope will lead to improved self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, including reactive healing processes in caring for people who face adversity.
The healing process begins with a safe environment that is nurturing and supportive. The organisation’s psychologists, social workers, therapists and caregivers work closely with each person’s own unique set of circumstances – political, historical and circumstantial – to locate their own source of strength and regain a healthy functional life.
Details: www.rada.co.za
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