Lowveld runners run in aid of GBV
In June, Samuel Makamu, a well-known member of the Mbombela running community, contacted fellow runners, Gilda Mavromatis and Yolanda Odendaal, to assist with starting an initiative for Mandela Day.
MATSAFENI – The idea was to raise awareness of gender-based violence in the surrounding communities.
Makamu is from Matsafeni and wanted to take the focus not just to there, but as far as possible.
“We decided that as members of the running community, we would start with a virtual race to raise the profile of the issue, and would culminate in a march or run to GRIP that would help raise awareness on women abuse,” Makamu said.
“We would also use the time to source sponsors to donate to our chosen beneficiary. We then extended the virtual race and initiative to run from Mandela Day through to Women’s Day.”
On Mandela Day, Makamu, Steven and Gilda Mavromatis, together with Manuel Ngobeni and Claiton Motha, ran in Matsafeni and to Mbombela to raise awareness.
Gilda was introduced to the Mataffin Men’s Forum (MMF) by Ngobeni, and so were sown the seeds of a possibility of cooperation between community initiatives.
She immediately got moving and helped make this happen in the form of a virtual race. SPAR Lowveld then joined in and donated R10 000 worth of vouchers to GRIP and a R50 voucher to each participating runner who donated R50 or more.
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At 08:00 on August 8, the men and Steven and Gilda, on invitation, marched around Matsafeni with a banner and posters, giving their assurances to the local women that the men in the community would not stand for violence against women and children.
They later gathered at the GRIP office where the SPAR vouchers were handed over.
On top of that, the men had gathered a cash donation from their own pockets to assist GRIP.
The MMF regularly helps individuals in Matsafeni with food parcels, and passes on business and savings knowledge to young people.
The forum is also on a mission to proclaim, “Not in our name will we stand for women abuse!”
“We are proud of these men in our community for standing up to be counted as #NotInOurName gentlemen,” said Barbara Kenyon, GRIP founder.
When asked how their community reacted to their stand against rape, founder of MMF, Lungile Maqina, said the community members cheered and clapped their hands.
“This made me misty-eyed as it reminded me that that is exactly how GRIP was initiated in 1999, by a group of children and women standing in protest against rape. Thank you SPAR Lowveld, MMF and Lowveld Running Club,” concluded Kenyon. The MMF wants to encourage more communities to start the same initiative.
Anyone who would like more information can contact Maqina on 081-391-7013 or lungilemaqina@gmail.com.
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