February News

Miles for Moms Team 2012

The Miles for Moms team is back! Our challenge this year is the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge on 5 May. Our team will be running up the treacherous and challenging Stellenbosch mountains in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Bosom Buddies. And as a special treat we have a celeb joining us! Watch this space…

This month we are growing our support groups
and antenatal efforts. We will be joining our colleagues and friends in Grabouw in the upliftment of that area, in particularly focusing on the mothers we love so much. We will have a daily presence in the MOU of the day hospital, where our employee will do what we do best – educate, support, inspire and offer hope. We are excited for this new venture and so grateful for our growth and progress.
We are also happy to be advancing into Strand and Gordons Bay, where will support the clinics at Fagan street, as well as Gordons Bay and Ikwezi.

Along with the rest of South Africa, I am outraged by the death and murder of Anene Booysen and I am pleased that it is receiving this much attention in the press, with vigils and marches and front page stories. What saddens and frustrates me is why it has taken so long to be outraged by what happens on a DAILY basis in our townships and rural areas. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a daily occurrence
to many many girls and women in our country. I am glad we are finally giving the issue some attention, but frustrated for the many years wasted. I know many teenage girls who have been brutally raped, sodomised and abused and have to see their rapists regularly out of fear to report the cases or because of our often futile social and justice system. Added in the mix are leaders that, if not condone, then silently commend such behaviour. I do hope that Anene’s death will mean swifter and more effective justice, compassion and tolerance for our women.

Some statistics: During 2011/2012 over 64 000 sexual offenses were reported in RSA. These are the reported cases. A girl like Anene had to die a violent death in order for people to take notice. Like I say, frustrating.