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Avon lit up Limpopo this past Saturday as it hosted its 5th annual Light Up to Speak Out candle lighting ceremony, an event aimed at educating and mobilising the community to stand united against gender-based violence. The beauty company held the event outside Gauteng for the first time after it discovered that 77% of women in Limpopo, the highest in the country, had experienced some form of violence according to a Gender Links Study. Hosted by Capricorn FM beauty, Hlekani Shikwambana, the event featured phenomenal performances by local acts; Blacque Soul, gospel singer Lebo Selomo and traditional dance group Thatas Legacy Dance Poetry which had the audience singing and dancing throughout. In-between the live entertainment, several guest speakers equipped the audience, made up of residents from across Limpopo, with practical knowledge and tools to help eradicate violence against women in the community.
Locally born and bred actor, Kope Makgae made a sobering speech about his experience as a cast member of the multi-award winning local film, Thiba Sobabili which highlights the cycle of abuse in our communities. He spoke about the role of mothers in perpetuating the cycle as seen in the film. Nhlanhla Mokwena, Executive Director of People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) had a similar message as she urged women to support their fellow women in abusive relationships and offered several tips for the police and medical professionals that would ensure that victims do not go through secondary trauma.
From the Tears Foundation, Monica Moagi introduced a helpline that all women can use in emergencies from anywhere in the country and from any mobile phone. The Avon funded SMS helpline, a first in the country, is a free service that helps the victim identify the nearest help to them, no matter where they are in South Africa. A woman would simply need to dial *134*7355# to receive a list of professionals and organisations that can provide immediate assistance.
Immediacy was also the key word for the next two speakers, breast cancer survivors Ntokozo Dludla and Mirriam Makgatho who highlighted the importance of early detection. Ntokozo who now operates the Avon Justine iThemba mobile education unit in Gauteng was diagnosed with breast cancer in her thirties and said that had she not visited a doctor immediately after she found a lump in her breast, she may not be alive to tell her story. |
Capricorn FM presenter, Hlekani Shikwambaba was the consummate host
Blacque Soul serenaded the audience
with local and international favourites
Ntokozo Dludla from the
Breast Health Foundation
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