Teen pregnancies in Cape, rape of a 12-year old girl in Mitchell’s Plain alarming
Karen Painter • Aug 22, 2021
CAPE TOWN. – There was a total of 325 pregnancies of girls between the age of 10 and 14 in the Western Cape the past year, while 934 pregnancies in the age group occurred in Gauteng between April 2020 and January 2021.
There were 11342 girls in the Western Cape between the age of fifteen and nineteen that fell pregnant the past year, while 325 girls in the province between the age of ten and fourteen fell pregnant in the same period.
Zelda Ferguson, an activist against gender-based violence, revealed the alarming news that a 12-year old girl in Mitchells Plain fell pregnant to the boyfriend of her grandmother.
She said she was approached by a woman from Mitchell’s Plain, while she was protesting against a bail application by an alleged rapist at court, and the woman told her that her 61-year old boyfriend had sexually molested and raped her granddaughter, aged 12.
The girl fell pregnant and told her grandmother what had happened.
The alleged rapist was arrested and is currently out on bail.
The grandmother said she contacted the investigating officer, who told her that there is currently a backlog with DNA-tests, and therefore the case is delayed, but as soon as the perpetrator’s DNA-testing is completed, he will be brought to justice.
The 12-year old girl was taken to a safe house after the alleged rape took place.
“The grandmother is in a state and needs trauma counselling while her former boyfriend is roaming freely,” Ferguson said.
1000 Women Trust demands answers
Tina Thiart, founder member of 1000 Women Trust that aims to raise awareness around gender-based violence, rape and abuse, said it is alarming that the Gauteng department of Health recently released statistics that showed that 934 girls between the age of 10 and 14 fell pregnant between April 2020 and January 2021.
There were also 23226 teenage pregnancies between April 2020 and March 2021 in Gauteng according to their department of Health, she said.
“What we need to understand is that in two provinces we have had more than 1200 pregnancies of girls between the age of 10 and 14. In many cases, we have had girls aged 12 or younger who have fallen pregnant, and that is statutory rape, while pregnancy in the age group of 12 to 16 is due to sexual assault.
“We demand to know how many statutory rape cases are opened because of the pregnancies of girls between the ages of ten and twelve,” Thiart said.
“We also call on the national prosecuting authority and the police to accelerate the process of arresting the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“What is very disturbing, is reports from parents that there are teachers who sexually assault children, who fall pregnant and then the parents of these children are bribed by the perpetrators to keep it quiet.
“Parents must have a hands-on approach in sharing values with their teenage girls like the importance of boundaries and not allowing anybody to disrespect them or to make sexual advances to them before they are ready for a serious relationship.”
‘Disgusting social media comments’
Caroline Peters, director of 1000 Women Trust, asked: “Where is the outcry about statutory rape in the country. The age of consent is 12 so there should be that many cases against perpetrators.”
The perpetrators of statutory rape were locked in with the children of 12 or young who were raped during the covid-19 pandemic.
The social media comments that the girls wanted to get pregnant to receive social grants is completely appalling and incredibly disgusting, as to suggest that they fell pregnant by choice, Peters said.
Department of Social Development
Esther Lewis, head of communications for the Department of Social Development in the Western Cape, said her department funds and operates a range of parenting and family support programs.
The programs involve, parenting skills programs for parents and teenagers, as well as support for parents of children who are at risk. Some participants in the programs are teenage parents themselves.
“Our social work child protection services offered by the DSD are available to all who need them, including preventative and early intervention programs for children and teenagers engaging in risky behaviour, and children and teenagers in need of psychosocial support or even placement into alternative care to protect them from abuse, sexual predators and exploitation.
Anyone in need of help or who is aware of a child at risk can report this to the DSD or approach the nearest local office to speak to a social worker or designated child protection organisation,” said Lewis.
#PlanAheadWC-campaign
Lewis said the Western Cape Department of Health is currently promoting contraception in the news and social media as a cornerstone of good sexual and reproductive health during the COVID 19-pandemic and beyond.
Through its #PlanAheadWC campaign (June 2021 to September 2021) the department has launched a new internet site of its family planning services to educate sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 24 about the need for contraception and contraceptive use. The site comprises of frequently asked questions, benefits about contraceptive use, information on health care facilities offering family planning services outside of normal working hours and the contact details.
Women can access information using their smartphone or other suitable devices by visiting www.westerncape.gov.za/site-page/family-planning , participate in #AskMeAnything on the Western Cape Government Health Facebook page or post about their family planning experience at the clinic using the hashtag #PlanAheadWC, said Lewis.
Role of Western Cape Education Department
In terms of the role of the Western Cape Education Department, sexual education in schools is focused on prevention and “making the right choices”.
The importance of providing children with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values regarding their sexuality and the accompanying social responsibility in especially the learning area. Life Orientation cannot be overemphasized.
The principle that it is best for learners to abstain from sexual activity should be stressed. Educators emphasizing the importance of good moral values should be the backbone of sexual education, Lewis said.
The Life Orientation curriculum for every phase deals with sex and sexuality at appropriate levels. Many of the interventions have changed the focus on merely providing information on pregnancy prevention to teaching and discussing values with both female and male learners.
The focus is rather on intervention strategies to address other wider issues that might impact on teenage pregnancies such as drug abuse, bullying, self-esteem enhancing and decision-making skills, Lewis added.
In the subject Life Orientation, sexuality education and life skills education are done with learners from primary school to high school.
“At some of our schools, care and support assistants are employed to assist learners with sexuality education and life choices,” Lewis said.
School social workers do a high school preparation program. Teenage sexuality and positive life choices are key aspects of this program featuring learners from grade seven and above.
The family transformation centre, for example, has spearheaded a fatherhood program focusing on boys, male educators as well as fathers. The idea is for male educators and fathers in the community to be good role models for young boys, Lewis added.
The three new GBV-laws and the new dedicated desks at police offices in gender-based violence hotspots will strengthen women in the fight against the second pandemic, said Leonora Sauls, new trustee of 1000 Women Trust. Sauls is also the head of philanthropy of the Ackerman Family Foundation. Know the GBV-laws is part of a new campaign by 1000 Women Trust to challenge women around the country to equip themselves legally in case of domestic violence. The three new GBV-laws are: the criminal Law (sexual offences and related matters) amendment act, the criminal and related matters amendment act and the domestic violence amendment act. Said Sauls: The domestic violence amendment bill expands the definition of domestic violence to include actions as controlling or bullying behaviour and makes provisions for protecting people in engagements, dating and in customary relationships. The criminal and related matters amendment bill amends various laws that address GBV and offences committed against vulnerable people, she said. It also provides for additional procedures to reduce secondary victimisation of vulnerable people in court proceedings. It further regulates protection orders in response to domestic violence, she added. Sauls said: “Government is making progress in establishing dedicated desks at police stations in GBV hotspots. The desks are staffed by police officers who are specifically trained to provide victim-centred assistance and support. There are now 134 desks in operation and the goal is to have a GBV desk in all police stations countrywide. In my view, these bills as well as the GBV desks will strengthen the fight against GBV,” she added. Asked how gender equality in the South African workplace can be enhanced, Sauls said there must be a rethink of systems. Senior leaders must consider and understand what organizational policies and practices may be seen as supportive or dismissive of talented women, and shift toward more inclusive leadership . Best-practice organizations have an all-encompassing, systematic agenda to tackle gender equity in the workplace and are focused on supporting, retaining, and promoting diversity of all kinds. She said another way of enhancing gender equality in the workplace is to establish and execute flexible work agreements. Flexible work arrangements can take many forms, and even before the pandemic, flexibility was frequently cited as one of the key things wanted by women in the workplace . With the global shift toward more hybrid and remote ways of working, your organization will surely improve employee retention post-pandemic with flexible work arrangements . But even more important than establishing flexible policies is ensuring that employees feel truly “safe” to take advantage of them, said Fauls. Asked what other steps could be taken to eradicate the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa, Sauls highlighted the following steps. Women’s full participation in civil society Programs that will facilitate financial independence for women. Providing accessible GBV clinical services in lower tier health facilities Addressing the needs of child survivors of gender-based violence. Support programs for all women in and outside of the workplace
The courageous and tireless gender advocate Marinda Lottering is waging war with limited resources against perpetrators of gender-based violence in the Central-Karoo who use their economic power as leverage to attack and assault helpless women – something that has become endemic in Beaufort-Wes and Laingsburg. Lottering has started a temporary emergency shelter in the heart of Beaufort-West in order to cater for women who are subjected to gender-based violence. These women, who lay charges at the police station, normally awaits transport to the closest shelter in Laingsburg, but Lottering does not want to leave them on the street while they wait. The facility will also serve as a GBV advice office for women in Beaufort West. “Last year, 1000 Women Trust and I had a Karoo-project where we held meetings and workshops for women who were victims of gender-based violence. The purpose of those meetings in Beaufort-West was to empower women on what they are to do when they are subjected to gender-based violence, where to go to for assistance, how to apply for an eviction order. “We also did training with many of these women to empower them on how to find their way out of abuse,” Lottering said. “Gender-based violence in Beaufort-Wes and surrounding towns of the Central-Karoo is rife. One of the biggest challenges is that more than 50 % of people in the area are without jobs. So many women are without work, they depend on men who drink heavily or use drugs and who abuse them. “These men consider women as their inferiors and as their objects. And when the women want to go to the police office, the perpetrators threaten them with more violence and tell them they will withhold money for food from them. And some of these women don’t have the skills to escape the cycle of violence and stay trapped,” says Lottering. “The courses I have done with 1000 Women Trust like the trauma training, anti-bullying and life skills training have been enormously helpful. Last year, we trained 37 women in Beaufort-West with the 1000 Women Trust material and 27 in Laingsburg with the same material,” Lottering added. One of the greatest challenges she faces, is to leverage support. 1000 Women Trust had been in the past and still is a life saver, but she needs other support as well. “I cannot do it on my own. I have called for a meeting for next week with the South African Police Services, the department of social development and churches in Beaufort-West in order to find help and solutions with the sky-high levels of gender-based violence.” Asked about the role of the church, Lottering said some of the churches in the Central-Karoo don’t help as some members of their senior management are guilty of the same problems that are so evident in the community and that is that they are perpetrators of gender-based violence themselves. Lottering said the most pressing need for her right now is office equipment, as well as food supplies as there is a high prevalence of women on the street who were violently assaulted and who have to fend for themselves and their children without food or drink. If people want to assist Lottering, they can email her on lotteringmarinda607@gmail.com or contact 1000 Women on WhatsApp 0614690479 Tina Thiart, trustee of 1000 Women Trust, welcomed the establishment of the emergency shelter in Beaufort West and congratulated Lottering for taking the brave step. “It was our objective with the Karoo-project (to establish the shelter). We urge our members and friends to donate to the GBV Advice Office,” said Thiart. The mission of 1000 Women Trust is to raise awareness, empower survivors and work towards eradicating all forms of violence against women. The Trust firmly believes that by uniting their voices, they can create lasting change and build a safer world for women and girls everywhere. To contact the Trust, send us a mail on info@1000women.co.za .
Leading activist against gangsterism and bullying in Mamelodi rave about 1000 Women Trust’s material
The pamphlets and the anti-bullying-toolkit of 1000 Women Trust have played a significant role in assisting the social worker Eunice Maseema, who is a leading activist in fighting gangsterism and bullying in the Jafta Mahlangu secondary school in Mamelodi-West. Maseema is a social worker of the Moses Mabhida Foundation. She says she has benefited from the anti-bullying material from 1000 Women Trust, women-led organization that combats gender-based violence. “The challenge we face at the adopted schools in Mamelodi is that there is a lot of gangsterism around the schools in the area as well as substance abuse, which plays a role in perpetuating bullying in the Jafta Mahlangu-school,” says Maseeema. “We have had incidences where learners who had taken in some substances, physically assaulted teachers at the school,” she says. “Our role is not only to conduct talks at the school and target perpetrators with the message that bullying is not cool. But we also have group sessions regularly – either after school or on weekends. “Furthermore, we take hands with other stakeholders to challenge learners who are bullies. We are in close contact with all the South African Police Services in Mamelodi. The embassy of Qatar has also provided us with more computers to help bullies pursue a different career patch. “We have reached out to parents in the community with the central message that bullying is inhumane and has severe consequences,” Maseema said. “The material of 1000 Women Trust has contributed to the skills development of the social workers and we have also positive feedback from learners who read the pamphlets of 1000 Women Trust.” Maseema said one of the greatest challenges that the social workers at the schools face, is how to break the connection between bullying and gangsterism and eradicate the negative cycle of anti-social behaviour. “Some of the learners join the gangs around the school at age 11. When they join, they receive R100 and when they try to leave the gangs, they have to pay R2000 to the gangs. “A challenge is to help learners see the positive role models who do not engage in bullying. Because many of those role models leave the area to join greener pastures. “But some of the learners drop out because they want to join the ranks of gang members who have smart cars,” Maseema added. “We have had some success as some learners dropped out, but due to our interventions they came back to school again. We try and enforce a procedure whereby every learner is checked by teachers, and social workers to attend every period of school “if we have more resources, we want to spread the work that we are doing, to the whole of Mamelodi, not only schools in Mamelodi West. Currently we focus on two primary schools and the Jafta Mahlanga secondary school. We aim to enlarge our footprint. “Another challenge is we need more money to purchase several computes to teach learners more skills as to much free time can exacerbate the problem of bullying,” said Maseema. It is well-known that 57 % of the 2.2 million South African learners have been subjected to bullying throughout their lifetime, and that 90 % of bullies later on become perpetrators of gender-based violence. In 2023, a total of 2981 learners in South Africa did the hart-hitting trauma buddy training of 1000 Women Trust. The Trust’s mission is to raise awareness, empower survivors and work towards eradicate all forms of violence against women. The Trust firmly believes that by uniting their voices, they can create lasting change and build a safer world for women and girls everywhere. For more information on what 1000 Women Trust is doing, visit www.antibully.co.za, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or send Tina Thiart a WhatsApp on 0732079079 if you want your school or teachers or parents to do the anti-bullying course.
As we commemorate International Women's Day on March 8th, the 1000 Women Trust is proud to launch its "Know The Law" campaign. With a focus on inspiring, educating, equipping, and empowering women and women-led organisations, this initiative aims to simplify legal jargon and make crucial amendments accessible to all. In 2022, the government introduced three significant amendments addressing key issues affecting women's safety and rights. These amendments streamline protection order applications, ensure the seriousness of harassment claims by state police, and hold offenders accountable with appropriate punitive measures. Over the next few weeks, 1000 Women Trust will delve into each of these laws to keep individuals informed and engaged. Through social media, website resources, and interactive discussions, the campaign seeks to empower women with knowledge and foster gender equality. "At 1000 Women, we believe that knowledge is power," says Founding Trustee, Tina Thiart from 1000 Women Trust. "Our 'Know The Law' campaign embodies our commitment to empowering individuals through education and awareness. By understanding these amendments, women can better protect themselves and advocate for change." As part of the campaign, individuals are encouraged to share information with friends and family who may benefit from the resources provided. Together, under the hashtag #1000Women1Voice, the community can advocate for change, invest in women, and foster gender equality. Follow our "Know The Law" campaign and join the conversation on our Facebook and Instagram social media pages – 1000 Women 1 Voice.
Equipping women with the awareness of what bullying and gender-based violence is, what their rights are, where they can report this abuse and how they can get out of the cycle of violence, but also empowering them with skills to design bags and pillows, is part of Fransien Nzika’s role in the City of Ekurhuleni. Nzika, equipped with course material provided by 1000 Women Trust on gender-based violence, bullying and trauma training counselling, embarked on the work of touching the hearts of hundreds of women subjected to gender-based violence just after COVID-19. “We have taught the women what gender-based violence is, what their rights are, where they can phone for help or where to go to in order to receive assistance if the police officers are not sympathetic,” said Nzika. But Nzika has also seen it as her role to help women understand that they can be self-sufficient, that they have what it takes to succeed economically without having to rely heavily on men who are perpetrators of gender-based violence. “Many women lack the confidence and have that mindset that a man must take care of them. I empower them to be self-sufficient and don’t need a man. One of the things that is challenging is that some of these women who were subjected to repeated gender-based violence, withdraw the charges simply because they are economically dependent,” said Nzika. “The magnitude of gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni is quite massive, but many women do not talk about it,” she said. The group sessions that she has had, utilizing the 1000 Women Trust-material, has been popular. There are free food and drinks, provided by 1000 Women Trust. “So many of these women come an go, but some do return for more sessions. “It is not merely group sessions. We also empower them by teaching them to do design work of products like pillows and handbags, and it is quite uplifting as it create awareness that they do have the skills to become independent,” said Nzika. Nzika works meticulously on doing follow-up calls to women whom she has not seen for a while an prompted by Nzika, they come back. She has made some progress in the never-ending fight against gender-based violence perpetrators, but says the biggest challenge is still that women in Ekurhuleni suffers in silence and hide the scale of GBV in their communities or are stuck in abusive relationships and lack the will to get out of the cycle by being self-employed. Lucretia Samsam is a tireless worker and community activist who utilizes the 100 Women Trust anti-bullying toolkit and information about gender-based violence to change hearts and minds in Freedom Park, an informal settlement in Ottery. But Samsam has also wandered over to Gugulethu to share information about the danger of bullying and cyber bullying with women in the township. She has also engaged with learners and teachers from Ferndale Primary school where her daughter is a learner. “One of the objectives of my work is to make people in Freedom Park aware on the meaning of Human Rights day on the 21nd March and how we as community collectively can fight crime,” she said. Samsam is currently not employed, but said she is absolutely passionate about helping children and adults about the dangers of bullying and cyberbullying. “One of the greatest achievements of my work though using the 1000 Women Trust course material is that I have created enormous awareness amongst children of the dangers of bullying and how they can fight for themselves to fend off bullies, but also how they can engage with teachers to help protect them from perpetrators of bullying,” said Samsam. “One of the greatest enjoyments of my work is that when I walk across a field in Freedom Park, they shout my name, they know what I am doing and that I am making a difference,” she adds. 1000 Women Trust is a women-led organization whose mission it is to raise awareness, empower survivors and work towards eradicating all forms of violence against women. The Trust firmly believes that by uniting their voices, they can create lasting change and build a safer world for women and girls everywhere.
Equipping women with the awareness of what bullying and gender-based violence is, what their rights are, where they can report this abuse and how they can get out of the cycle of violence, but also empowering them with skills to design bags and pillows, is part of Fransien Nzika’s role in the City of Ekurhuleni. Nzika, equipped with course material provided by 1000 Women Trust on gender-based violence, bullying and trauma training counselling, embarked on the work of touching the hearts of hundreds of women subjected to gender-based violence just after COVID-19. “We have taught the women what gender-based violence is, what their rights are, where they can phone for help or where to go to in order to receive assistance if the police officers are not sympathetic,” said Nzika. But Nzika has also seen it as her role to help women understand that they can be self-sufficient, that they have what it takes to succeed economically without having to rely heavily on men who are perpetrators of gender-based violence. “Many women lack the confidence and have that mindset that a man must take care of them. I empower them to be self-sufficient and don’t need a man. One of the things that is challenging is that some of these women who were subjected to repeated gender-based violence, withdraw the charges simply because they are economically dependent,” said Nzika. “The magnitude of gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni is quite massive, but many women do not talk about it,” she said. The group sessions that she has had, utilizing the 1000 Women Trust-material, has been popular. There are free food and drinks, provided by 1000 Women Trust. “So many of these women come an go, but some do return for more sessions. “It is not merely group sessions. We also empower them by teaching them to do design work of products like pillows and handbags, and it is quite uplifting as it create awareness that they do have the skills to become independent,” said Nzika. Nzika works meticulously on doing follow-up calls to women whom she has not seen for a while an prompted by Nzika, they come back. She has made some progress in the never-ending fight against gender-based violence perpetrators, but says the biggest challenge is still that women in Ekurhuleni suffers in silence and hide the scale of GBV in their communities or are stuck in abusive relationships and lack the will to get out of the cycle by being self-employed. Lucretia Samsam is a tireless worker and community activist who utilizes the 100 Women Trust anti-bullying toolkit and information about gender-based violence to change hearts and minds in Freedom Park, an informal settlement in Ottery. But Samsam has also wandered over to Gugulethu to share information about the danger of bullying and cyber bullying with women in the township. She has also engaged with learners and teachers from Ferndale Primary school where her daughter is a learner. “One of the objectives of my work is to make people in Freedom Park aware on the meaning of Human Rights day on the 21nd March and how we as community collectively can fight crime,” she said. Samsam is currently not employed, but said she is absolutely passionate about helping children and adults about the dangers of bullying and cyberbullying. “One of the greatest achievements of my work though using the 1000 Women Trust course material is that I have created enormous awareness amongst children of the dangers of bullying and how they can fight for themselves to fend off bullies, but also how they can engage with teachers to help protect them from perpetrators of bullying,” said Samsam. “One of the greatest enjoyments of my work is that when I walk across a field in Freedom Park, they shout my name, they know what I am doing and that I am making a difference,” she adds. 1000 Women Trust is a women-led organization whose mission it is to raise awareness, empower survivors and work towards eradicating all forms of violence against women. The Trust firmly believes that by uniting their voices, they can create lasting change and build a safer world for women and girls everywhere.
The prominent women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, a leading NGO in the fight against gender-based violence, has launched a major national campaign urging parents to make a pledge to #MakeTime to speak to their sons to teach them about consent, boundaries and respect for women – and in this simple act, join the cause of fighting against the ongoing, horrific levels of gender-based violence. The campaign centres on a children’s doll – Krissy Doll – that appears to have been brutally assaulted, exhibiting all the hallmarks of domestic violence. In a digital film, two young girls are playing with the doll, putting make-up on the doll’s face to cover up cuts and bruises. “Our Krissy Doll is a strong denotation of how women cover up or hide the abuse or violence that is inflicted upon them. By showing a potential future in which little girls accept battered and bruised dolls as if this were the norm, we are hoping to shock South Africans into having critical conversations with their sons”, says Tina Thiart, co-founder and trustee of 1000 Women Trust. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has said, "Gender-based violence thrives in a climate of silence. With our silence, by looking the other way because we believe it is a personal or family matter, we become complicit in this most insidious of crimes.” To assist adults in navigating these difficult conversations, 1000 Women have made free-for-all digital resources available at talkingtoboys The site hosts age-appropriate talking points and tips on how to speak to boys from the age of one to young men in their teens, an auto-calendar function to set a reminder to make time, and the option to share a pledge to #MakeTime on Facebook and Twitter to drive further awareness of the need to “teach our sons the right way”. “All we’re asking is for South Africans to #MakeTime to speak to their sons. Words are powerful and children’s behaviour and attitudes are learnt, shaped and moulded by those who care for them. If every South African took just half an hour a month to talk to their sons, or boys in their care, about the right way to think and act, consent, boundaries and respect for women, we would soon see less violence, abuse, rape and murder,” says Thiart. But it is not only our sons. Women also need to rethink how they view themselves. A recent survey indicated that when asked if it is acceptable for a man to hit a woman, 3.3% of men and 2.3% of women in South Africa said that it is. Despite the percentage being small, it will never be possible to completely eliminate violence against women while there are still women who believe that it is acceptable to be hit by a man, at the same time not understanding their constitutional rights or what is regarded as socially unacceptable behaviour. “So, while making time to talk to our sons, we also need to encourage our daughters and help them understand that abuse is not okay. Abuse against them, or against anyone they care about should not be covered up. We can’t remain silent, we need to speak up if we want change,” says Thiart. “Through this campaign we hope that each and every South African will take up the responsibility to have these types of conversations with our children from an early age, so that it becomes a social norm and prevents these crimes from following our daughters into the future”. To find out more, pledge your support to make time to talk to your children, visit talkingtoboys and join the conversation at #MakeTime on social media. FOR MEDIA QUERIES Tina Thiart 1000 Women trustee 0732079079 Lara Fouche Assistant to the Trustee 0842361860
NGOs in South Africa who serve the vulnerable and marginalized or leading the fight against gender-based violence, are grossly neglected by the department of social development with regards to allocation of funding. And this is exacerbated by the fact that this department of social development is acting more like a skills development agency than alleviating the plight of the poor and the downtrodden women in society, said Tina Thiart, trustee of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust. 1000 Women Trust is one of South Africa’s leading NGOs in the fight against gender-based violence since 2003. Thiart demanded that the alleged misappropriation of funds by the department of social development should be investigated as a matter of urgency. She said according to the news agency GroundUp, the Gauteng department of social development has granted nearly R114 million to two organizations over two years, one a beauty academy called Beauty Hub and the other a former shelf company, Daracorp. The department of social development reduced the amount allocated to NPOs by R233 million in 2023. Sectors hardest hit were older people (where the budget for NPOs was cut by R54 million compared to the previous year, HIV services, cut by R98 million and community care, cut by R26 million. Beauty Hub academy said its own commitment is to educate and train young people, giving them the necessary skills to be professional hairdressers and beauty therapist in an industry that is so often informal and poorly regulated. The department said it had funded Beauty Hub to train 565 people receiving a social security in 2022/23, with a further 565 targeted for training in 20232024. That meant over the two years the Beauty Hub will have received funding to train 1130 students at an average of over R56000 per person, according to GroundUp. Thiart, though, said the department of social development is acting as a skills empowerment hub, something that is the task and mission of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). That is also the role of a Seta like the culture, arts, tourism, hospitality and sport sector education and training authority. “It is clear that the department of social development is misunderstanding its role, where an organization like SEDA could easily have fulfilled that mission with regards to the allocation of fund to fulfil skills development functions,” Thiart added. “Many NPOs who are at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence, has received little or no funding since 2023. “A total of 2981 parents and teachers were part of the Trust’s anti-bullying course in 2023, while the organization equipped 2724 trauma buddies – councillors that support survivors of gender-based violence,” said Thiart. “We also trained more than 10000 women as community leaders to support survivors of GBV in communities and did not received a single cent in support from the department of social development. And we are not the only NPOs affected,” she said. According to adv. Bernadine Bachar, director of the Saartjie Baartman-centre, many community-based organizations in South Africa who are leading the fight against gender-based violence, or are in the shelter-sector, may face imminent closure. That is due to the fact that the department of social development advised the sector at the end of 2023 that due to budget cuts it may not be able to fund these organizations in the future, a move that may leave many survivors of gender-based violence on the street. Thiart said of the almost R2.3 billion funds paid to NPOs, most got less than R1 million and some received little or nothing. Yet Daracorp and Beauty Hub’s funding was almost unaffected by the budget cuts of 2023. “The money paid to them could have provided by a Seta or by SEDA, and not by a department whose mission states that it should enable the poor, the marginalized and excluded people,” Thiart said.
Today, let's talk about something super important – keeping ourselves safe and happy in the digital world. We all know the internet is an amazing place, but sometimes, there are a few not-so-nice folks out there. Here's what to look out for and what you can do: 1. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut feelings! 2. Keep Personal Info Personal: Guard your private details like a treasure chest. Don't share them with just anyone. 3. Be Cyber-Smart: Update your passwords regularly and make them strong like superhero shields. 4. Friend Wisely: Only add people you know in real life. Quality over quantity, right? 5. Think Before You Post: Once it's out there, it's hard to take back. Be mindful of what you share. 6. Stand Up, Speak Out: If you see someone being cyberbullied, don't be a bystander. Speak up and support! 7. Report and Block: Most platforms have tools to report and block bullies. Use them like a boss! 8. Digital Detox: Sometimes, it's okay to take a break. Unplug, breathe, and enjoy the real world. 9. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you. Your online space should be your happy place! 10. Talk About It: If you're facing cyberbullying, don't keep it to yourself. Share with someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or teacher. Remember, you are strong, you are awesome, and you deserve all the good vibes in the world! Stay tuned for more tips on how to own your online space and kick those cyberbullies to the digital curb! 😎💻
Today, let's talk about something super important – keeping ourselves safe and happy in the digital world. We all know the internet is an amazing place, but sometimes, there are a few not-so-nice folks out there. Here's what to look out for and what you can do: 1. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut feelings! 2. Keep Personal Info Personal: Guard your private details like a treasure chest. Don't share them with just anyone. 3. Be Cyber-Smart: Update your passwords regularly and make them strong like superhero shields. 4. Friend Wisely: Only add people you know in real life. Quality over quantity, right? 5. Think Before You Post: Once it's out there, it's hard to take back. Be mindful of what you share. 6. Stand Up, Speak Out: If you see someone being cyberbullied, don't be a bystander. Speak up and support! 7. Report and Block: Most platforms have tools to report and block bullies. Use them like a boss! 8. Digital Detox: Sometimes, it's okay to take a break. Unplug, breathe, and enjoy the real world. 9. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you. Your online space should be your happy place! 10. Talk About It: If you're facing cyberbullying, don't keep it to yourself. Share with someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or teacher. Remember, you are strong, you are awesome, and you deserve all the good vibes in the world! Stay tuned for more tips on how to own your online space and kick those cyberbullies to the digital curb! 😎💻
