Young Nightingales light up the path
"At some point it almost became normal for girls to constantly look over their shoulders due to the fact that they might just get raped".
MBOMBELA – With gender-based crimes increasing among teenagers, many survivors of rape and domestic violence most probably at some stage in their lives have wished upon the “lady with the lamp”.
Makungu Ngobeni and Tendai Tungwarara, two dedicated pupils who matriculated at Penryn College at the end of last year, are already shining their light in the Lowveld and are slowly but surely becoming the local Florence Nightingales of the future.
Dedicated to making a difference, Makungu and Tendai are the proud founders of the organisation, Teens Against Abuse (TAA). “It all happened during lunch one day when the topic of rape and abuse suddenly came up.”
Discussing the shocking story of baby Brianna, a six-month-old girl who died as a result of being raped by several men, these two girls said enough is enough and decided to do something about it.
“At some point it almost became normal for girls to constantly look over their shoulders due to the fact that they might just get raped. But as we sat there we realised that there was nothing normal about it. We finally reached a moment where we decided to do something about it.”
The two gathered the rest of the members which included Phumla Mahlinza, Tsholofelo Mohlala, Akani Mabaso, Nipho Mabuza and Dean Mokoena and formed TAA. They immediately started their journey and managed to pull off their very first event at school – a fashion show.
“We managed to put some money together, bought material, got trendy outfits designed by a local tailor and held a fashion show at Penryn College.”
TAA decided to use learners as models as it was important for them not to choose models based on looks, but rather according to the extent to which they embodied and radiated beauty from within.
Shortly after they hosted a successful car wash in which they raised enough money to present a self-defence course, hosted by Wolves Academy.
“Master Xander and his crew taught everyone the basics of self-defence and learnt us a valuable lesson, that no matter how vulnerable you may seem in a situation, you can always gain the upper hand.”
TAA managed to raise a total of R2 000 and contemplated what they should do with the money. “The light bulb suddenly went on and our answer was survival kits.” Each kit contains soap, a facecloth, lotion, toothpaste, a toothbrush, one pack of sanitary towels and a handwritten note of encouragement that reads: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.
The organisation managed to put together 48 of the care packs and handed it over to the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP). The work GRIP is doing in the community doesn’t go unnoticed. We are grateful for the inspiration they are to us and we trust that the care packs will help make a difference.”
Tendai is currently pursuing her career as a nurse, while Makungu is studying law at the University of Pretoria.
During 2014 a total of 694 cases of teen (aged 13 to 18) abuse have been reported at GRIP. Of these 539
were due to sexual violence and 155 were cases of domestic violence. Of the 539 cases, 526 involved teenage girls and 13 teenage boys.
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