CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Justice Desk (TJD), an award-winning South Africa human rights non-profit organisation, has launched an awareness campaign as part of 16 Days of Activism, which features “16 voices for 16 Days!”
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until the 10th of December, Human Rights Day.
As an organisation that focuses on “Promoting the Power of Everyday Activists”, TJD believes in the power of ordinary people to effect impactful and lasting change in their communities.
TJD’s campaign will feature and amplify the thoughts, reflections, voices and suggestions of incredible individuals on their website and through their various social media platforms throughout 16 Days of Activism.
The 16 voices are made up of representatives from NPO organisations and foundations such as the Kolisi Foundation, SaHarvest, The Embrace Project, Women Lead Movement, Langa for Men, The Uyinene Foundation and Girls against Oppression. The voices of well-known celebrities such as Zolani Mahola, and TJD’s Goodwill Ambassadors Marco Spaumer and Craig Lucas will also be featured, as well as our partners The Waterfront and notable business leaders such as Jon-Foster Pedley and Pumela Salela. Various community activists from Justice Desk projects such as girl survivors of rape and young boys actively fighting against GBV will also be featured.
During this period, the 16 chosen voices will be taking on the role of thought-leaders in the GBV space, ultimately discussing the ongoing gender-based violence crisis our country is facing, how action must be taken, how activism can be used as a tool for change, as well as other suggestions for how we can successfully combat gender-based violence in our lifetime.
“Challenging gender-based violence is a collective fight. There are so many incredible people who have a voice and a way forward and we must listen. We can no longer work in silos, but must be encouraged to share our ideas, passions and plans of action.” says Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
Through this campaign, The Justice Desk not only seeks to raise awareness of our GBV crisis but also hopes to bring people together, inspiring one another to recognise the incredible power that South Africans have when we come together for change. By amplifying these 16 remarkable leaders, they hope to inspire others in contributing their own thoughts and voices, uniting in solidarity and raising awareness to the important fight against gender-based violence.
“It is not the job of just some of us to end gender-based violence, it is the job of all of us – and we cannot be successful unless we all play our part, not just during these 16 Days of Activism, but 365-days a year!” continues Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
From the start of the 25th of November, support The Justice Desk and their “16 Voices in 16 Days Campaign” which will raise vital awareness towards combating gender-based violence, but most importantly, inspire others to know that they too can be a part of the change.
Partnering with BackaBuddy, The Justice Desk has launched a crowdfunding campaign to invite the public to support two of their flag-ship projects, aimed at eradicating Gender-Based Violence.
The Ntsika yeThemba project aims to end Gender-Based Violence by equipping a generation of positive male role modelswho challenge toxic masculinity and GBV and promote equal rights and justice for all!
Through various positive role model encounters and mentorship initiatives and the use of outdoor adventure-based education, young boys from township communities, many without fathers or father figures, are being empowered to become incredible leaders and agents of change.
They are reshaping, redefining and re-building positive ideas and actions of masculinity.They are being taught how to respect one another, respect women, understand consent and be a part of building a free and equal country for all!
Ntsika yeThemba: “Pillars of Hope, Defenders of Women & Leaders for an Equal Society”!
Your donation will make it possible for these young boys to access:
Empowerment Workshops: Our young boys are equipped through various lessons and skills development sessions, such as training on gender-based violence, human rights education, consent, and gender norms.
Mental Health Support: The boys are supported through mental health resilience development and workshops, such as guided meditation, yoga, journaling, and reflection. They also attend regular trauma counselling.
Outdoor Education: Exciting and innovative activities such as obstacle courses, team building, hiking, camping, and nature exploration are used to build an environment of teamwork, brotherhood, and learning.
The Justice Desk’s Mbokodo Club Project focuses on offering empowerment workshops, mental healthcare, and self-defense programs to girl survivors of gender-based violence and rape.
The young girls we work with are between 9 and 19 and come from vulnerable communities such as Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Langa and Bonteheuwel.
The project focuses on equipping young girls to lead their change, become community leaders and join a network of women supporting women within underserved communities and townships.
Our young girls can achieve this because of the quality services and education at the Mbokodo Club.
Your donation will make it possible for these young girls to access:
Empowerment workshops: Our heroes are empowered through various lessons and skills development sessions, such as training on gender-based violence, human rights education, sexual health, leadership development, public speaking, body image, and self-confidence.
Mental health support: Our young girls through mental health resilience development and workshops (such as guided meditation, yoga, journaling, and reflection). The girls also attend regular trauma counselling.
Fitness and self-defence: Specialised fitness sessions are run with our young girls, including boxing sessions and self-defence classes, which build their overall confidence and fitness levels.
Pictured above: George has sold ice cream on the beach for 43 years
George Phontshe Peni (71) from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, has made an honest living selling ice creams, whilst capturing the hearts of Bloubergstrand residents and beachgoers for more than 4 decades.
‘Uncle George’, who is an icon in the community, is affectionately known for his kind-loving nature, warm heart, and patience. Come rain or shine, he can often be seen peddling his bike to support his family.
Demonstrating random acts of kindness, George is known for giving out free ice creams to children who are short of change for a treat.
“Uncle George about a month ago gave my grandson- aged 2-ice cream for free, as I did not have money on me and he said a child should not go without ice cream. I could not believe the kindness and warmth of this man. Later on, we paid him back, however, his gesture had no price”, said one Instagram user.
As George is getting older, business has become a bit slower than it was in his golden years.
Due to financial struggles, George sometimes misses an opportunity to sell his ice cream on days when he can’t afford the travelling costs to and from his home.
He also lacks the strength to ride his bike, and rather pushes it alongside Babalwa, a family friend determined to help keep George’s small business and dream alive.
Pictured above: George in the golden years
A sweet friendship
Having lived in Blouberg for over a decade, Michelle Nel (32), formed a special friendship with George, despite their different backgrounds, age gap, and a language barrier.
“When you see an older person almost every other day working with the commitment and contentment of George, you cannot help but take an interest in their story. The more I saw George, I couldn’t help but envy his equanimity in the simplicity of his lifestyle. It’s like he figured it out, you know.” – says Michelle
Pictured above: Stopping for a scoop, Michelle visits George
Hearing his stories, she eagerly took notes, hoping for the opportunity to one day share his story with the world. But sadly, as it often happens, life and work took over, and the loosely translated tales of his life were misplaced.
Picture above: George Phontshe Peni captured at Bloubergstrand
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
A few years later, the unexpected happened: In need of taxi fair to get home one day, George showed up on Michelle’s doorstep out of the blue, with no knowledge of where she stayed.
Feeling a sense of divine intervention, and listening to her inner voice urging her to take on a cause greater than herself, Michelle knew it was the right time to tell George’s story and see if her community would help George get back on his feet.
With a suggestion from her husband, Regardt Nel (38), Michelle decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with a fundraising target of R50 000, hoping to surprise George with a pension fund to support him and his family in the long term.
Watch George’s campaign video
Reaching out to neighbours, and posting on community groups, Michelle was blown away when the campaign soon reached over R70 000, with the support of 193 donors, each sharing heartwarming interactions with George over the last 43 years.
“My kids are 18 & 20 now, in their toddler years they’d run after George with great excitement & he’d always patiently wait while they made their ice cream choices. More than happy to contribute.” – Lorna
“My little Elli who’s 11 now got many free ice-creams as a baby when our nanny used to sit & chat to him at the beach – I’ll definitely support him thanks” – Lou
“Grandson was rewarded with a free ice cream for helping George lift his bike up the ramp at Kleinbaai thanks, good idea.” – Estelle
Pictured above: George proudly holds a sign with all his donation messages
‘The spirit of Ubuntu is alive’
Having helped set up a banking account for George, Michelle’s hope is that he will have an easier life, and have the means to fix his home and buy furniture.
“Thank you to the Blouberg community, for all you have done to echo the impact George has had to you. While he didn’t ask for us to do this for him, I know, by seeing his face as he reads through your donation comments that he is grateful beyond words. The commitment and love you have shown, proves that together we can make a genuine change in people’s lives.” – says Michelle
Thank you to the 193 incredible donors who supported uncle George thus far
Michael Zastron | Gaynor Rusford | Merwe Erasmus | Kim Fortuin | Miss dawes | Ida Pretorius | Sacks Lona | Michelle Rossouw | Claire Celliers | Robert Brent | Ross Jean | Nicholas Wulfse | Danielle Van Staden | Elke Kiehm | Nicolette Copeman | Helena Hutton | Jo-Ann Joffe | Bianca Seery | Xavier Dabrowski | K Fortuin | Vaughan Parvess | J Kervarrec | Samantha Schmidt | Wayne De Nobrega | Lynn Swanepoel | Trevor Venter | Sylvia Althof | Anne-Marie Learmonth | Ayesha Adams | Sonia Fattah | Rowan Whelan | Gabi Weck | Vicki Oosthuizen | Joanne Brits | Samantha Smit | Lauren Grornewald | Koba Molenaar | Luca Graziani | John Nicolson | Bridgette Daries Anon | Gaary Andrew | Ilze Raubenheimer | Dirk Tolken | Kerry Gordon | Amelia Hayes | Northing Vanessa | Karen Lambert | Kendal Warren | Liezel Maree | Sharon Stockdale | Michelle Els | Hilton and Lou Roos | Elizabeth Botha | Susan A | Barbara Moscicki | Sesona Matiso | Peter Leon Goosen | Joan Beattie | HC Easom | Busisa Ellen Dyosi | Amanda Biddle | Mario John Van Der Merwe | Jonathan Towers | Kim Germishuys | C L BILL | H A Edelkraut | Astrid Cadle | Laurie Ben yair | Lili Potgieter | N M Van der Walt | Annie Kok | Janine De Ponte | Ruth Paulus | Liezel Van Wyk | Renette GERBER POTGIETER | SHANE LAWRENCE | Celeste Moos | Tharien Potgieter | Anke Smuts | Chantal Muller | Lc Redding | CAM Williams | Jonathan Stokell | Marcelle Barry | Ranulf Lucas | Chantel Scholtz | Avril April | Cedric Franz | Yvette Rowland | Adeline Swanson | Ilona Du Plessis | Giuliana Cockcroft | Gerhard de Beer | Iris Taani | Lisa Nicholls | Lee John Serafin | N Abader | Willem de Lange | Anne Mann | Bryan Botha | Emma Neisius | Rachelle Seymore-Mackay | Lynette Alexander | Jennifer Graham | Brenda Barber | MARK VIRTUAL | Michele Viljoen | Pumza Bara | Elsie Pool | Vega Hall-Martin | YW Carr Alchemy Services | Carmen MC Gregor | Xandrie Cockrell | Elma Jooste | Jade Duncan | Nicole dos Santos | NV Munsamy | Laanie Allan | Loren Shapiro | Nuraan Ramos | michelle terblanche | Denise Drew | Melanie Hertz | Teresa Lavagnino | Andrea Bodill | Brendon Wilson | Wendy Vadivellu | Benay Mermer | Dhansukh Gajjar | Mecarla Lewis | Blia Yang | Chantelle Arpesella | lauren purdon | Tracy Sterley | Carolien Saayman | Stephane Favre | Don Bekker | Jean Droste | Chantelle Hall | Stephanie H | Grant Watson | Miss Mika Enslin | Leila Coetzee | Kenita Rabilal | Craig Melnick | Paul Reyburn | Adeela Rahbeeni | KR Meijer | Roche Denholm | Stacey Wolpert | Pilisa Matyholo | Tracey Belelie | Elsa M Taylor | Lauren Van Schaik | M Louw | Elina S Iordanova | Sue Wright | El-Maree Van Zweel | Maria Pretorius | Bridgitte Moores-Pitt | Alice Morrison | Lesley Gutsche | Cedric Edwards | N Getley | Claudia Baker | Peter Grainger | Heinrich Robyn | Adriaan Van Niekerk | Liezel Kotze | Collin Soogrim | Doreen Bruss | Lindie Henning | Gwen Robinson
One month before her birthday, Farren Grace (7), a grade one pupil from Westville, Durban, was diagnosed with Leukemia, a rare form of cancer in the blood and bone marrow.
Pictured above: Farren not feeling well after a day of chemo
As a result of her condition, Farren faces frequent infections, fatigue as well as bleeding and bruising, as her abnormal white blood cells travel through her bloodstream, attacking her healthy cells.
Dealing with Farren’s devastating diagnosis has been difficult for her parents, Elrigh Grace and Katie Pillinger, who have spent every possible moment at their daughter’s side as she has endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy over the last 3 months.
“At the moment we are just taking it one day at a time and rely heavily on our faith to get us through. It’s been incredibly tough and a rollercoaster ride but Farren is positive and keeps us all smiling with her optimism!” says Katie.
Pictured above: Farren and her mom, Katie
South Africans coming together
The Grace family are eternally grateful for the community that has surrounded them during this difficult time.
With the generous support of 313 donors, over R430 000 has been raised on BackaBuddy to help fund Farren’s cancer treatment, and home care, estimated to cost over R500 000.
Pictured above: Farren doing her homework in Hospital
“We so appreciate every prayer; messages of encouragement and hope; acts of kindness and love and of course donations which hugely help ease the financial burden Farren’s treatment and care has placed on our family.” says Katie
Pictured above: Farren and her dad, Elrigh
At the moment Farren is undergoing her second phase of chemotherapy – the most intense phase which means most of her time is spent in isolation at Parklands Hospital. She will then need a bone marrow biopsy to determine the effectiveness of her treatment and the way forward.
The family’s biggest hope at the moment is that the fun, friendly and full of life Farren’s health will be restored in order for her to return to school and have the wonderful life she deserves.
Photo above: Farren with her mom, Katie and stepdad, Luke
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far risen over R290 Million.
The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust’s (CRET) alumni are giving back and paying it forward with an initiative of their own, supporting deserving students just like they were once supported.
Now in established careers as a result of the bursary and development support they received from CRET, the alumni have established their own CRET Alumni Fund.
They have contributed and leveraged funding to support three students in university already. Now they have launched a crowdfunding initiative through BackaBuddy to boost the Alumni Fund and to support more students in need.
Their goal is to raise a total of R1 million to help The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust’s (CRET) support at least 6 first year students in 2022.
From right to left: From The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust’s (CRET) alumni Donaé Loggenberg, Moosa Amanjee and Sharlotte Mkansi are among 8 individuals hoping to pay it forward.
During a bursary support masterclass held in April this year, it was noted that university retention and pass rates in South Africa are low.
WATCH: Cyril Madiba introduces the CRET BackaBuddy campaign
Research indicates that 33% of students enrolled in a four-year degree will drop out and less than a third of students manage to complete their tertiary education in the minimum allocated time. The loss of and dropout from learning will continue if active citizenship is not part of the solution to mitigate the challenges faced at all levels of learning.
“It is clear that a bursary for tuition alone is not enough, Chantelle Oosthuizen, CRET Executive Director said.” That is the gap the CRET alumni through the BackaBuddy campaign are hoping to close. They are working on paying it forward by assisting current beneficiaries with more than just tuition funding but ensuring that other developmental areas of their personal lives and academic careers are nurtured so that they successfully complete their studies or training”, she said.
CRET implements a holistic bursary support programme that offers students academic and skills development support, career guidance, psycho-social support, soft skills training, and ongoing mentorship to ensure real throughput success.
“This holistic support mitigates the high drop-out rate and guarantees well-rounded graduates who possess key skills to contribute to the economy and society,” Cyril Madiba, Chairperson of CRET’s Alumni Advisory Board said.” “And as this initiative shows,” he added, “CRET also encourages the ethos of ‘giving back’, developing committed civic-minded students.”
Donations can also be made to one of the eight alumni who are working tirelessly to change the life of one deserving student, with their own fundraisers.
Just four months ago, the Jithoo family from KwaZulu-Natal, heard the devastating news that no parent ever wants to hear: their 8-month-old baby girl, Mahi, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, a very rare form of cancer.
Mahi has spent most of her short life in hospital, where she has been receiving several rounds of chemotherapy to prepare her for a bone marrow stem cell transplant, which she desperately needs to save her life.
However, sadly, a donor match is yet to be found.
For Mahi and many children like her, they have to rely on the selflessness of a stranger to donate stem cells, as only 30% of patients are lucky enough to find a match within their immediate family.
The remaining 70% often have to look internationally if a local donor is not found. The odds of finding a donor match is 1 in 100 000 but is drastically reduced to 1 in 400 000 for patients of colour. Sadly, this is a problem that registries face globally.
Pictured above: Your donation could save Mahi’s life.
It is for this reason the Jithoo family has decided to join hands with the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) in an effort to help recruit more donors, particularly donors of colour; raise much-needed funds to procure additional buccal swab kits (testing kits), and cover the costs of donors’ medical tests in the hopes of giving Mahi, a second chance at life.
According to the SABMR, The cost of a bone marrow stem cell transplant from an international donor is more than double the cost of a local donor.
As these costs are covered by SABMR, the non-profit organisation has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, in hopes to save baby Mahi’s life.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R16 000has been raised towards the fundraising target of R1 000 000, with kind contributions from donors both locally and internationally.
Pictured above: Mahi Jithoo
According to the SABMR, The cost of a bone marrow stem cell transplant from an international donor is more than double the cost of a local donor.
As these costs are covered by SABMR, the non-profit organisation has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, in hopes to save baby Mahi’s life.
Since the launch of the campaign, over R16 000has been raised towards the fundraising target of R1 000 000, with kind contributions from donors both locally and internationally.
Support Baby Mahi by making a donation on BackaBuddy:
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition, and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R270 Million.
Kirsty Olwagen (32) a school bus driver from Pietermaritzburg, was a breech baby, born with a dislocated hip, which has placed tremendous strain on knees her whole life.
Pictured above: Kirsty and her husband, Sefas.
At only 2-years old, doctors at Mediclinic in Kwa-Zulu Natal, realised that Kirsty’s hip had grown past her socket, and without surgery, she might not have been able to walk for the rest of her life.
To help Kirsty re-align her hip with her socket, her legs needed to be stretched out into the splits, and she had to hang upside down, with the help of a T-shape mechanism, for 2-years, while she ate, slept and played.
Thankfully, the procedure worked, and Kirsty proved everyone wrong who thought she wouldn’t be able to walk.
Pictured above: Kirsty Olwagen at age 6.
Later in Life
Fast forward a couple years, and Kirsty’s problem with her hips manifested in a new way.
Developing large breasts at the age of only 13-years old, Kirsty felt tremendous pressure on her back, and eventually had to undergo a series of 5 knee operations.
Pictured above: Kirsty Olwagen at age 18
Like many women who deal with the burden of a heavier chest, Kirsty has struggled with weight gain her whole life, which has placed increased pressure on her knees.
She has since developed a more severe condition: Sacroiliitis in her left hip, which causes inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, as well as tension of the lumbar spine and pelvic joints.
To avoid Kirsty having to undergo a comprehensive back operation or hip replacement surgery, which could put her life at risk, doctors have recommended that she has Breast reduction surgery urgently, as her breasts weigh over 6kgs.
“I want nothing more than to enjoy life with my family, without being in constant pain and discomfort. My boobs and I have had a good run, but the party’s over and it’s time to go.” – jokes Kirsty.
Help Kirsty get a weight off her chest
As Kirsty’s medical aid has declined to cover the cost of her breast reduction surgery, estimated to cost over R94 000, arguing that it is a cosmetic procedure.
To help ease her financial burden, non-profit organisation, Porky’s People NPC, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to reach out to the public for support. Thus far, over R8300 has been raised with generous support.
Funds raised, which will be administered by BackaBuddy NPC and Porky’s People NPC, will be used to cover the cost of Kirsty’s medication, time in theatre, the surgeon and anaesthetist fee, as well as an overnight hospital stay.
“Everyone who knows Kirsty knows she is a big girl, with an even bigger heart. Having this operation will help her regain her confidence and finally live pain-free.” – says Kirsty’s sister, Natasha.
With public support, Kirsty could undergo her breast surgery in Pretoria before the end of year.
