Supporting Women’s day for a week

The iThemba Rape and Trauma Centre held a Women’s Week with Hoërskool Brandwag, to mark Women's Month.

August 12, 2013

Tanya Bester 1 minute read

Pupils from Hoërskool Brandwag set free helium-filled balloons together, as a symbol of friendship.

It kicked off with a talk from iThemba’s centre manager, Natasha Zaayman, during morning assembly on the Monday.

On Tuesday, the pupils wore high heels to school in exchange for a donation of R5, in aid of creating awareness and raising funds for the centre.

Some of the Grade 12 pupils at Hoërskool Brandwag in their high heels which they got to wear to school on Tuesday, during the school's Women's Week, in exchange for a R5 donation towards iThemba. They are Rowlene Myburgh (left), Chantel Coetzee, Tasia Brummer, Nicky Sceepers and Maryna Else. — Some of the Grade 12 pupils at Hoërskool Brandwag in their high heels which they got to wear to school on Tuesday, during the school’s Women’s Week, in exchange for a R5 donation towards iThemba. They are Rowlene Myburgh (left), Chantel Coetzee, Tasia Brummer, Nicky Sceepers and Maryna Else.

Pupils could sign a pledge on Wednesday, stating that they are opposed to rape and abuse.

And, for the grand finale on Thursday, 20 minutes before the end of the school day, all the pupils gathered on the quad platform, where all the girls stood in the middle and the boys formed a wall around them, pledging that they will honour, protect and respect women.

As a final symbol of friendship, they all let helium-filled balloons go up into the air together.

“I think it is extremely important that the school starts making a difference and takes a stand against rape and abuse. It will, hopefully, be a beacon of hope and an example for the rest of the schools to follow,” said Zaayman.

“At Brandwag we do not wait for things to happen, we make them happen,” said Sanet Dormehl, a teacher at the school.