In August of 2019, South Africa was hit with the news of the brutal rape and murder of Uyinene “Nene” Mrwetyana. During Women’s Month, the month we are meant to celebrate the power of women, we were shattered as a nation as Uyinene was the face of every woman who had done everything right – she was a student, out in broad daylight, simply picking up a package at the local post office, but yet became a victim at the hands of a man.
This year marks five years since this horrific incident occurred and her face and name will forever be engrained in our hearts and minds. Since her passing, her family has made it their mission to fight gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. In their mission, they have set up a public benefit organisation (PBO) – The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation – to raise awareness and provide survivors of GBV resources, such as access to psychologists and empower young people to stand against violence.
In the month of August, The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation leads a GBV awareness walk in the city of Cape Town, where Uyinene spent her final days and in the Eastern Cape, where Uyinene was from, to commemorate her life and amplify our voices in standing up against the plight of violence against women in this country.
The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation invites every member of society to the annual anti-GBVF (gender-based violence and femicide) Awareness Walk. Here are the details:
Cape Town anti-GBVF Walk details:
DATE: 24 August 2024
TIME: STARTING 08h30
VENUE: 10 DARLING STREET, CAPE TOWN TO PARLIAMENT
THEME: Eliminate the fear: Prioritising safety and security.
T-shirt: R150
Buff: R80
Register for the Cape Town walk here.
East London anti-GBVF Walk details:
DATE: 31 August 2024
TIME: STARTS 08h00
LOCATION: MERRIFIELD PREPARATORY SCHOOL & COLLEGE, BEACON BAY, EAST LONDON
THEME: Eliminate the fear: Prioritising safety and security.
T-shirt: R150
Buff: R80
Register for the East London walk here.
ALSO SEE:
Feature image: The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation / (Facebook)
Woman and Home Magazine
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