Tshabalala Primary pays respect to victims of gender-based violence
Tshabalala Primary School educators based in Phake section, Katlehong, held a ceremony to mourn women and children who are victims of abuse from across all borders.
The event was held at the school premises on August 10. Male and female teachers from the school wore black on the day to mourn women who died at the hands of abusive men.
Bertha Mahlatji, the teacher who came up with the idea, said as teachers from the school they are heeding the call to join women who are victims of gender-based violence from South Africa and all over the world.
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“We would like to say with one voice that enough is enough with the killing, raping, abducting and physical assaulting of women, children, grandchildren, mothers, and sisters. It must stop. Those who are found guilty of the above-mentioned offences should face the wrath of the law,” said Mahlatji.
She also said as women they want to live in a safe country where they can go out freely anytime they feel like it.
“We do not want to be afraid when we meet a male person or stranger at night. Instead, we should know that those people will protect us,” said Mahlatji.
She also said women should love and protect their loved ones.
Sifiso Ngobese, the school principal, said as one of the few men from the school, they support the idea.
He referred to some incidents from the television programme called Cutting Edge, incidents that depict men as abusers of women and children.
“What I have seen in the programme is not good and it worries me that men are the ones who do this to women.
“I wore black to show that I stand with them.
“It is not normal for a human being to abuse or kills someone for such a stupid reason. If you are not happy about what your woman did, why can’t you walk away?” said Ngobese.
He said the saddest part about what he saw during the programme was when one learner who is a victim of rape was interviewed and said she is now afraid to stay under the same roof as men.
“This is a call for all men to lay the foundation for young male children and teach them moral values since this is being caused by the fact that most of the boys were raised by women alone,” Ngobese concluded.
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During the ceremony, female teachers from the school were excited to be given a platform to share their experiences.
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