Crawford Sandton College learners stand against gender-based violence
The recent killings of women have left communities fearful, but Crawford International Sandton College say fear must not silence young people determined to create change.
As families of women whose lives were cut short grieve and wait for justice, the Crawford International Sandton College community gathered on September 18 dressed in black and wearing purple ribbons to mourn the victims and stand in solidarity with their families.
For the learners, the gathering was about more than remembering the victims. It was also about confronting the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence and recognising the role young people play in changing them.
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Grade 11 learner Kimiya Ghaheri said recent incidents of women killings highlight the fact that gender-based violence is a pandemic that is far from over.
“As Crawford, we thought it was important for us to do this because we are in a position of privilege. As learners, we are largely sheltered from a lot of what happens in the world and change must start with the youth,” Ghaheri said.
“As the poet June Jordan said in a poem for South African women, ‘we are the ones we have been waiting for ‘, and at our school we are determined to make that a fact. We are the ones we have been waiting for and that’s why we are the ones who are going to be acting first.”
While police investigations into the bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni remain ongoing, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the fear and uncertainty among women and vowed that no stone will be left unturned to solve the cases.
In a statement released on September 15, he confirmed that law enforcement agencies are working to bring the perpetrator/s to justice. On the same day, police met with government officials, including Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, then acting police minister Firoz Cachalia, and Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga.
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According to the police, the meeting focused on the progress of investigations, the deployment of multidisciplinary expertise, and measures being implemented to bring the perpetrators to justice. Police said the meeting underscored how seriously government and law enforcement are treating the incidents.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide met on September 17 to receive a briefing and consider recommendations from Natjoints on work to find the perpetrators of the murders.
The committee further encouraged residents of Gauteng to familiarise themselves with available emergency-support mechanisms, including the Gauteng e-Panic service, which enables users to request assistance through a mobile phone when facing threats such as domestic violence, assault, stalking, robbery, or other emergencies.
Anyone with information that can assist the investigation is urged to contact SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information may be provided anonymously.
Victims and survivors of GBV can contact the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428 for assistance.
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