Walking for change

While South Africa celebrated Heritage Day in many different ways, Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare chose to celebrate through embracing their birthright, freedom.

The welfare hosted a 5km fun walk to raise awareness against gender-based violence (GBV).

The walk started and ended at Shoprite Jan Smuts on the corner of Langhoven and Park streets.

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Escorted by Kempton Park SAPS, EMPD and Sec Pros Security, all those in attendance walked through the streets of Kempton Park to spread the message and engage with community members.

Cynthia Dinalane, the founder of the welfare and Gauteng GBV ambassador, said while the planning of the walk was in its infant stages she thought it was the right step to involve the police.

“I realised we work very closely with police and rely on them to help us fight GBV. It dawned on me that we can’t and shouldn’t do this on our own,” said Dinalane.

“After discussions with the Kempton Park SAPS, we collaborated and worked with more stakeholders from various organisations to ensure the walk makes an impact in the community.”

Attendees were also seen donating toiletries and sanitary pads.

Prior to the walk, those in attendance were seen warming up in aerobics sessions led by Kempton Park SAPS support commander Col Motsatsi Lesomo, which sure set the mood for the walk.

A short programme led by Sgt Dipuo Ditshego, spokesperson for Kempton Park SAPS, followed during which representatives and speakers from various organisations addressed the crowd.

Emotional moments were observed as GBV survivors also took to the stage to share their stories. Tears were also shed when they witnessed the bravery of an 11-year-old GBV survivor who told her story and thanked Dinalane for helping her.

Spirits were high throughout the walk. Kempton Park SAPS new station commander Brig Christopher Lindani Ndlovu, station’s head of detectives, Col Lesetja Manewa, and Vispol head Col Percy Selematsela supported the event.

“As Kempton Park SAPS, we are saying we want to make residents feel free to come to the police station whenever they have any problems. Every person has a right to report any incident,” said Ditshego.

“We don’t want more GBV cases to happen in Kempton Park, not under our watch. We are building this community.

“Police know their protocol and if you feel a police member is not doing something right, contact management. The number of our station commander is at our CSC. Our detectives’ head and Vispol head’s numbers are also available.

“We wear our name tags, and if you feel we are not doing something right, please take our names and report the matter. This is our Kempton Park and we all have a right to live freely in the town and let us take ownership of our home.

“As police, we stand together with the residents against GBV and we say ‘not in our name’. Thank you to everyone who participated.”
Ditshego also advised parents and guardians to care for their children and know where they are at all times.

“If you see something disturbing or a change in your child please take note and act on it. We have an office at our station where you can hold private discussions,” explained Ditshego.

“That office is there to ensure privacy for victims to feel safe and not victimised. Come forth and report whatever is happening behind closed doors.

“Kempton Park residents, please be your neighbour’s watch. Don’t say ‘it’s not my business’ because it is. We are a community. Let us help each other.”

Andrew Mosesi, provincial community police board member and Ekurhuleni CPF chairperson, said: “Thank you to our police for the support and being a part of this campaign, as normally people would march to the police and demand that the police help them. Today we are saying we are together with the police and campaigning with them.

“As the community, we are in support of every service of the police provided that it is acceptable. We are the police’s eyes and ears. If a neighbour is scared to report a matter, I must inform the police and they can attend to such matters in consultation with the NGOs where applicable.”

Dinalane also told Express how overwhelmed she was with the success of the day.

“Remember that men are also victims of GBV. To both men and women, we say ‘break the silence’.”

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