Pictured above: Uyinene Mrwetyana was raped and murdered by a post office official and her body dumped in Khayelitsha on the 24th of August 2019.
A group of UCT students, lead by Samantha Perkins (22) and Zoar Lewis (21) have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to stand up against gender-based violence in South Africa.
The initiative aims to honour Uyinene Mrwetyana, Jesse Hess, Leighandre Jegels, Lynette Volschenk and Meghan Cremer who lost their lives due to senseless acts of violence.
“We currently face what’s akin to a war against women in South Africa. Recent events have demonstrated that women are not at liberty to go anywhere without having to fear for their lives – albeit to, from or at the grocery store, campus, a club, a pre-school, the post office, or even one’s own home. It has been clearly illustrated that there simply is NO safe place for the women of this country.” says spokesperson and law student, Samantha.
Not pictured: Imke Mühr (20), Tyla Simpson (19), Naledi Dlamini (21), Mila Jardine (22), Robyn Blessie (22), Jay-Tee Davidson (22), Larissa Titus (21) and Dacia Hassan (24)
An increase in violent attacks
According to the SAPS annual report in the 2017/2018 financial year:
Police recorded 177,620 reported crimes against women, 36,731 sexual offenses, including rape, assault and the murder of 2,930 South African women.
“This is the breaking point, the ‘enough is enough’ moment, the time to stand up and say that we WILL NOT tolerate this any longer. We have to deal with this culture of violence against women that is so deeply entranced within our society.” – says Philosophy and English Literaturestudent, Nomazwi Nkoane
#IWillNotBeNext
In retaliation to the 11% increase in murders and violent attacks of and against women in South Africa, the #IWillNotBeNext initiative has been launched on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy.
Funds raised will be used to purchase and distribute a minimum of 1400 units of pepper spray @ R70-R100 per can to female students at the University of Cape Town.
“It is in our collective best interest to address this sickness that exists in our country, so in addition, we ask that you continue the conversation and help us keep this narrative alive. Enough is enough”- says Samantha
In less than 24 hours, the campaign has already raised a total of R36 337.09 towards the fundraising target of R100 000 with contributions from 58 donors,
“If overfunded, we hope to benefit as many tertiary education institutions as possible. It is our hope that this will at least make a small difference to the safety of women in the interim before Government decides to initiate serious efforts to solve this deep structural issue within our society.” – says Samantha
Support this campaign by making a donation on BackaBuddy here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/hernamewasnene
*Funds raised will be transferred directly to the pepper spray supplier*
South Africans stand in solidarity
“To those men disgusted by these acts of savagery perpetrated against women, please show your anger by donating to this cause.” – Dave
“For Nene, and the women of our country ” – Anonymous
“Praying for women, humanity and a better world.” – Ammaarah M
“No one to be next ” – Mom of 3 precious women
“I’m donating in the hope that a little pepper spray will go a long way” – Kim G
“This gender of mine is a mess. I hope this helps. Power to you womxn for starting this initiative. ” – Matt Gabin
“For the fact that I want my future daughter to grow up in a safe South Africa ” – Damian Frantz
“Thank you for doing this! Love and light to every woman reading this. Keep strong” – Leslie Omara
For more information about this initiative, please email marketing@backabuddy.co.za
