Kliptown Primary honours women’s rights icons and GBV victims
Learners at Kliptown Primary marked Women’s Month with performances celebrating women’s rights leaders and remembering victims of gender-based violence.
Kliptown Primary School (KPSS) learners and teachers enjoyed a Friday filled with entertainment as the school observed Women’s Month, while remembering victims of gender-based violence (GBV) on August 22.
The purpose of the event was to recognise past heroines who played a vital role in the fight for women’s rights and to raise awareness about GBV.
Creative Arts teacher Ashley Mashiane and the children performed for guests, with learners sharing the achievements of struggle icons such as Albertina Sisulu, Charlotte Maxeke, Miriam ‘Mama Africa’ Makeba, Lillian Ngoyi, and Sophia Theresa Williams-De Bruyn in the fight for equality.
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“Our performance was intended to take children back in time and teach them what women have done for every woman to be free,” said Mashiane.
“Remember, women once had no rights. We could not drive or work; we had to stay at home. So, it is important to recognise the women who came before us.”
Learners observed a moment of silence to remember victims such as Nathaniel Julies, Sibongile Hadebe, baby Nikita, Samantha Bassie, and Chesey Keppler, who died in GBV-related cases.
Acting deputy principal at KPSS, Lynette Preston, said Women’s Month is about women bringing positive change to the world.
“The world is still male-orientated and dominated, but there are women who are making a difference,” she said.
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She said the increase in violence over the last few years, in which women have been targeted, raped, murdered, and abused, is heartbreaking.
“When women marched in 1956, they were not only marching against pass laws. They marched against apartheid, racial segregation, GBV, economic inequality, and for women’s rights and empowerment.”
A former learner and later teacher at the school, Gwen Tarr, also joined the celebration. She taught learners about the history of KPSS and shared that the school has produced outstanding students who have made great contributions to the country.
