Honouring the women of 1956 and 2017
Bertharry English Private School learners march against women abuse.
By Robert Mangwale
Bertharry English Private School handed over a memorandum to ANC Ward Clr Thabang Jiyane on the eve of Women’s Day.
Even after commemorating Women’s Day, Bertharry Private School believes that issues of violence, emotional and physical abuse of women still exist.
Deputy Principal Harris Mtamathamba said as a school it was very important for them to honour the 1956 march because in the education sector there are victims of violence who face these atrocities in their homes.
Mtamathamba said they marched from the school along RTJ Namane Drive, along George Nyanga Street to Kilombero Street before they went through to DM Morokane Street, and marched along Mapungubwe Street back to the school, where they handed over a memorandum to the councillor.
He said as a school they would like to send a strong message to the perpetrators to say enough is enough. He said children who suffer domestic violence are affected by it and end up losing concentration at school.
“In our memorandum we are requesting the government to impose harsher penalties on sex offenders by lengthening their sentences,” Mtamathamba said.
He said no bail and no parole must be granted.
“Government must set up programmes to empower women economically and psychologically,” Mtamathamba added.
He said women are taken advantage of because they cannot fight for themselves; however, they are hoping that the laws will protect women and children.
“Let us tackle this issue of violence and abuse of women with the seriousness it deserves,” Mtamathamba said.
He said men should protect society.
“We invited different stakeholders including churches, EMPD, the Community Policing Forum, the ANC Women’s League and parents of schoolchildren,” Mtamathamba said.
Tshidi Monini is a learner from Bertharry Private School who said she was very excited to witness the honouring of the 1956 march.
“I am very impressed with the school to hold this celebration on this day because we are still encouraged by Lilian Ngoyi who led the march of women in 1956,” Monini said.
ANC Clr Jiyane said the memorandum was going to be delivered to the Minister of Police.
“This memorandum comes at a difficult time because this Women’s Month reminds us of the missing Manko Mathanyela who was staying in Temong section. She has been missing since May 31,” Jiyane said.
