Together we are responsible for our children!

It is Thursday just after 06:00 and I am on a train on my way to work. My phone went of trice already, so I decided to check what is so important.

Two of the messages are from a source, in the one he mentions the body of a child was found and in the second he confirms it is that of Tazne van Wyk.

For a few seconds I just sit quiet and pray: “Kyrie Eleison”.

During the day I occasionally read the comments on social media. We are all upset, furious and want answers!

Death penalty is raised, Bundu-courts, taking the law into our own hands and we need more prisons, is what many are saying.

It is on my way home that I tell myself and eventually share on my social media platforms – the death penalty is not the answer to the rape and murder in our country. The two crimes are as old as humanity it has been here long before us and will likely be here long after us.

As for building of prisons, I feel it is an indirect encouragement for crime. We already sit with a shortage of classrooms, why thus want more prisons?

What we do need is classrooms. We need to tackle the social challenges in our communities. Social programmes need to be revised and improved, especially those aimed on the youth.

In parts of the Western Cape there are youth cafes. The programmes presented there need to be revised and need to accommodate programs addressing the specific needs in that community. It is clear that the one approach for all is not working.

We, the people who live in this country, are the answer. The day we stop to protect criminal elements and perpetrators of domestic violence, looking the other way, that is when we are addressing the actual problem.

When we come forward with information and call out the names of those guilty, then we implement something far bigger and better than the death penalty.

How many don’t hear the conversations when walking by of a guy boasting how his girl jumps when he talks.

How many don’t hear how a girl confides in a friend about her boyfriend or husband who raised his hand for her by accident.

It happens once and then again and again and again. It becomes such a habit that when something happens to her those around them will say: “no it happened regularly.”

The day you hear it the first time and call out the name of the perpetrator, that is when you give the deed the death penalty.

Then there is the matter of just quickly sending your child to the shop, across the road or just down the street. One of the train buddies best summarise the feeling as: “If I cannot walk myself, then I can sit without it.”

The week Tazne van Wyk’s body was discovered two other girls, Nabeelah Begg (16) from Bonteheuwel and Mishaney Jansen (14) from Oudtshoorn, were reported missing.

It is also just each time a child goes missing or is raped and/or murdered that there is an outcry. Then we remember Lekita Moore, Rene Roman, Courtney Peters, Stacha Arends, Stracey Adams, Kaithlyn Wilson, Lache Stols, Aqeel Davids, Ezra Daniels, Shamonique Claasen, Jeremiah Ruiters and many others.

The shortcut is then chosen, and government blamed. But when did we as society fail?

We need to do better. We need to act quicker and sooner.

You and me and everyone around us are and should be the answer.

• Original was published in Afrikaans on Thursday 27 February 2020 in Paarl Post as Post Scriptum

Paarl is dressed for 16 Days of Activism

Paarl the third-oldest town in South Africa with its famous vineyards and glistening mountain range is not only the home of various sportsman and woman. The town where world icon, former president Nelson Mandela, gave his first steps as a free man is now setting another example.

The annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children which runs from November 25^th to December 10^th is aimed at creating awareness about the huge negative impact domestic violence has.

The first resident of the municipal area, adv. Gesie van Deventer, executive Mayor of Drakenstein, started the initiative to “dress” the municipal area to increase awareness and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.

Amanda Mostert, a local activist – who herself was a victim of abuse and rape – heard the mayor’s plea and together with other role-players are aiming to a create a mammoth campaign – the same year as South Africa commemorating 20 years of freedom and democracy – in partnership with business and local residents.

Residents and businesses are urged to support the campaign by:

(1) Purchasing an awareness package which contains a branded coffee mug; t-shirt and white ribbon (which you are urged to wear daily.)

(2) Participate in the various 16 Days of Activism events and activities taking place.

A 115 business in the town have geared themselves for the campaign. By gearing yourself, with the awareness package, you show your support for the 16 Days of Activism, everyday!

Campaign information is also provided to businesses that take part, to empower their staff to learn more and assist people in trauma situations.

The community is also encouraged to keep a whistle ready for the opening and closing of the project, where everybody will make sure at 12:00 on November 25^th and December 10^th, their voice against domestic violence is hear loud and clear.

Paarl, the largest of the wineland towns, with a population of more than 112 000 (according to Census 2011) can surely make the biggest noise and unite for 16 Days of Activism.