St Benedict’s College responded to the recent gender-based violence incidents in South Africa by developing a manifesto on masculinity and signing it.
The manifesto launch on October 24 included a talk by author and survivor Alison Botha.
Grade 10 and 11 learners and the male staff at the school signed the manifesto in a declaration against femicide and a goal to change the overall behaviour towards women in South Africa.
College head Dave Jeffrey said the reason for the manifesto was due to the recent deaths brought about by gender-based violence.
“The violence not only caught the attention of our president, but also the school. We are taking a stance against violence by calling out bad behaviour,” said Jeffrey.
He said as a school for boys, they have become concerned about the abuse and how it has been perpetuated within society.
“No woman should have to face discrimination and therefore we were challenged to craft the manifesto.”
Grade 11 learner Ayrton Griffin-Ellis said the learners support equality.
“The manifesto reminds us to be aware of our behaviour and encourages us to stand up and take action in support of women,” said Ayrton.
Guest speaker Alison was 27 years old when she was raped by two men, stabbed 35 times and her throat cut in 1994.
“We stand in this lava pool of crime, where we have to ask ourselves what can we do to change it? We need to take responsibility for our actions,” said Alison.
She said women are deemed as being weaker than men and the perception of weakness needs to change.
“Women must take charge and fight back against gender-based violence. I am not superhuman, but as women we fail to realise our own strength when faced with a traumatic experience,” said Alison.
“I hope you take the manifesto seriously and study it. Always remember to take responsibility for the choices you make,” Alison told the young men.
Senior leaders and captains read clauses of the manifesto and opened the signing of the manifesto, followed by other learners and male staff.
“We are proud of the learners and male staff at the school for making such a bold statement,” said executive director of Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) Lebogang Montjane.
The school’s executive headmaster, André Oosthuysen, said the school focuses on developing the learners holistically to become well-equipped adults who have empathy and compassion for all human beings, irrespective of gender.
