Tiyani stands against GBV and bullying

Tiyani Precious Mashaba from Mageva village outside Giyani says the high number of suicides in communities has inspired her to start the ‘We Can & We Will’ mental health campaign aimed at young people. “I once also suffered from depression, anxiety, and self-doubt,” she says.

She adds that she wants to provide a safe space for victims, a place to run to other than roaming the streets and ending up abusing drugs. “Let us strive for better mental health, together we rise but apart we fall,” Tinyani says. The campaign aims to ‘break the silence’ of abuse.

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“We do a lot of campaigns at schools where we hear of incidents of attempted suicides. We make sure that counselling is provided by Derrick Khoza, a social worker. We also donate sanitary pads to those who need them,” she adds. “My goal is to grow the campaign.

I want to register it as an NGO. I want it not only to offer counselling but to help those who are in need. “My dream is to one day build a shelter with a soup kitchen so those who don’t have food can come and eat. “There will be sports facilities to keep the youth off the streets and shelter for the homeless,” she concludes.