Have you ever been a victim of school violence? Are you a bully or do you know one? Have you ever witnessed violence on your school grounds?

The results of the 2012 National School Violence Study, conducted by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, were released this week and the stats are alarming! Violence in schools has gathered considerable media attention over the last couple of years and this study takes a closer look at the problem from the pupil, principal and educator’s point of view.

School-violence-in-South Africa (2012 Study) Released 17 April 2013

Bokamoso Ba Rona Ambassadors, Nkosinathi Ndlovu and Phelonia Minisi, recently rallied the troops in their community in Mpumalanga to get behind the One Billion Rising Global Campaign. They both formally submitted a pledge of support for the fight against violence and abuse.  It’s clear that nothing can stand in their way! Check out the two videos here.

Nkosinathi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDkowbDkXcc&feature=youtu.be

Hi, my name is Nkosinathi.

I will be speaking about abuse.

Last year I met the Deputy Ministers of Home Affairs and Police, and I asked them about the problems in South Africa that are getting worse with regards to the abuse of women and children.

The Minister of Police must lobby against the abuse of women, because many women have been abused for a long time.

In South Africa these issues have not been solved and last year a young girl was raped! I feel bad about that. I think these cases of abuse must be solved.

Many people out there should become involved in structures in order to support the police.

I asked the police to solve these issues and make it right and that the laws should be changed, because these issues are not being solved.

The lobbying done thus far has not resulted into solutions and we need to solve these issues now.

I ask that Parliament create a law to protect women and children against abuse. These issues must be solved now.

I hope that Parliament will discuss these issues and solve them.

I hope that people will come together and march on 14 February to show how important the issue of women abuse is.

Thank you.

Phelonia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx665FUSaBo&feature=youtu.be

Hi, my sign name is (pause) and my name is Phelonia Minisi.

Women have had to suffer abuse and discrimination, especially by men, for a very long time.

I heard about an incident where seven men raped a woman so violently that she died.

It’s important that the community remember that they can inform the government of what is going on and help to catch these men and throw them in jail.

Women must always walk together in groups to ensure that they have continuous support.

Men mustn’t look at children and girls as targets. Girls must be aware of this abuse and they must be informed about that.

The community must get together and discuss these issues and come up with ideas of how to put these men in jail.

I hope that women will open their eyes and lobby continuously.

I hope!

Thank you

Translation by: Marsanne Selzer

Editing by: Ashley Carelse

100 people gathered at Westonaria Public Library to take part in an amazing ONE BILLION RISING event.

The event was organised by local activist and a close friend of the BBR campaign, Righardt le Roux.

The event started off on a cheerful mood with the Philani Development Centre’s choir singing songs and dancing inviting all to join them in this as a peaceful outcry against women and child abuse. The library exhibited all kinds of posters made by various stakeholders and numerous speakers each gave their view on the importance of RISING UP against women and child abuse. Poets shared their creative writing on the subject, each conveying the message that something SERIOUSLY has to be done to stop abuse.

There was an anthology entitled “RISE”, compiled especially for this event to raise funds for local women and children who are afflicted by abuse. 150 Copies were sold and all funds raised will be donated to organisations that support women affected by violence and abuse. Wow, great gong guys!

At the end everyone in attendance was transformed and enthused, one and all rose up like one voice for this important cause.

The Philani Development Centre alongside the Tolerance Day Care Centre ended off the OBR programme with a song, leaving everyone inspired to set out into the world and bring about positive change.

Cathy Donaldson, President of Blind SA, attended the day’s events to show her support of the OBR Campaign. She gave a moving speech.

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Women of the Philani Development Centre dancing.

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Pupils of the Westonaria High School pledging their support.

Start an Emotional Creature Club in your school, youth program, or community! Download the free V-Girls Emotional Creature Club Guide, gather your friends, and start a movement to empower girls in your community! Emotional Creature Clubs are a place for girls to get together to discuss issues they are facing and plan activism projects to raise awareness, spark dialogue, and create change! Register now!

http://www.v-girls.org/take-action/

These young people of the Mbombela Deaf Youth Structure in Mpumalanga have vowed to join the fight against violence and abuse!

Stand up for the 1 in 3 women who WILL be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Stand up for an end against violence and abuse. Stand up for what’s right. Stand up now!

FROM 25 NOVEMBER – 10 DECEMBER EACH YEAR, THE WORLD COMMEMORATES 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children

GRATEFUL THAT THIS CAMPAIGN ENSURES THAT THIS HIDEOUS SOCIAL ILL REMAINS ON THE INTERNATIONAL AGENDA WE CALL FOR MORE TO BE DONE!

The Parliamentary Millennium Programme (PMP) encourages the ENTIRE Parliamentary community to consider the total 365 days per year in which it is said that a woman is raped every 26 seconds AND that 30% of girls below the age of 15 are at risk of being sexually violated in South Africa…

THE PMP WILL SHOW ITS SUPPORT BY JOINING ORDINARY MEN & WOMEN FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE TO PROMOTE THE ONE BILLION RISING CAMPAIGN

According to a United Nations report, one billion women – 1 of every 3 women on the planet, will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That’s one billion mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, and friends violated.

ONE BILLION RISING is a promise that on the 14^th of February 2013, millions of women and men across the Globe will Rise Up around the world to say:

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The violence ends NOW!”

One BILLION RISING is designed to show the world our collective strength, our numbers, and our solidarity across borders.

We cannot reach One Billion without you! Your participation is vital to the global efforts to END violence against women and girls!

The PMP is inviting the women and men of the South African Parliament to WALK, DANCE, and RISE UP on the 14^th of February 2013, and demand an end to violence against women!

How to become involved:

• Sign up to the campaign on the ONE BILLION RISING website (http://www.onebillionrising.org/) and encourage your peers to do the same.
• Join the ONE BILLION RISING- South Africa Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/277742642325181/?fref=ts)
• Tape yourself making a Statement of Commitment, or dancing, singing or show us your choice of visual expression of why and how you will RISE, and load the video on the Facebook group “One Billion Rising – South Africa”.
• To join the online picket, send us a snapshot of yourself holding up a placard stating the reason why YOU would rise & upload this on the FB page “One Billion Rising – South Africa”
• Encourage dialogue around the issue of violence against women and girls within your social networking community.
• Talk to everyone you know about ONE BILLION RISING, and the 1 in 3 statistic; blog, post articles about the ACTION TO RISE UP on the 14^th of February 2013
• Engage in dialogue with your co-workers, friends, and family about ways to address violence against women in your community.
• Learn the Song and Dance moves and join groups around the city on the 14^th of February 2013 and “Break the Chain” http://onebillionrising.org/blog/entry/we-have-an-anthem
• Change your Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook profile picture to the ONE BILLION RISING logo on 14 February 2013.

TAKE ACTION sign up and join the ONE BILLION RISING campaign today and lets ALL put

AN END TO VIOLENCE!

Watch the One Billion Rising short film

Check out the OBR Anthem “Break the Chain”

For those seeking HELP or more Information on Local support for survivors of abuse,

Please visit: http://rapecrisis.org.za/rape-in-south-africa/

Observatory Counselling line                021 447 9762

Athlone Counselling line                       021 633 9229

Khayelitsha Counselling line                 021 361 9085

One of our star Ambassadors, Amilcar Juggernath, attended the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s media briefing and panel discussion on sexual and reproductive health today. The event took place in Johannesburg and was attended by many experts in the field of sexual and reproductive health.

As a medical student, Amilcar was perfectly suited to represent the BBR campaign at this gathering. One of the BBR campaign’s core focuses is the issue of Health and Amilcar was able to greatly contribute to this event. Thanks for representing us!

Check out the IPPF website here: http://www.ippf.org/ and read the press release on

the Boka Buddies Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/155047202265/?fref=ts

Has progress been made?

South Africa’s population has grown to 51.8 million people, according to 2011 Census results. This is seven million more people than a decade earlier. Some key findings include:

• Household income in South Africa has more than doubled since the last census in 2001;
• White people on average earn 6 times more than black people;
• Close to 60 percent of the population is under the age of 35;
• About 25.2 million men and 26.6 million women live in the country;
• Almost 80% of South Africans are Black, 9% are Coloured, 9% are White and 2.5% are Asian;
• Gauteng, the smallest provinces has the highest population, 12.5 million;
• South Africans are more likely to own a TV than a refrigerator;

For more in depth statistics, visit the StatsSA website:

http://www.statssa.gov.za/census2011/default.asp

Are you in the Western Cape? Are you finishing school? Taking a gap year next year?
Action Volunteers Africa has many exciting Action Posts available. They also have monthly Motivation Forums where they will reflect on their experiences, get to know their fellow volunteers and be challenge you to become engaged citizens who participate in developing a better South Africa.

If you would like to volunteer and gain some valuable experience, visit www.avafrica.org.za

Your future starts here!

Come & experience student life: Find accommodation, seek career advice, find employment and meet industry leaders. Excitement is building up; there are only a few stands left. Hurry & book today stand@student-expo.com

The awesome after party promises to be off the hook!

·        Johannesburg Coca Cola Dome
23 & 24 Nov 2012 | 9:00 am – 7:00pm

·        Cape Town ICC
24 & 25 Nov 2012 | 9:00 am – 7:00pm

·        Durban Exhibition Centre
6 & 7 Dec 2012 | 9:00 am – 7:00pm

Visit the Student Expo 2012 website for more details: http://student-expo.com/

Our heritage celebrates our achievements and contributes to redressing past inequities. It educates, it deepens our understanding of society and encourages us to empathise with the experience of others. It facilitates healing and material and symbolic restitution and it promotes new and previously neglected research into our rich oral traditions and customs.

Celebrate Your Heritage with us by sending in the pictures or photos that capture and portray your heritage.
Send them to bokabuddies@gmail.com or publish them on the Boka Buddies Facebook Group Album:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151072990872266&type=1

Calling All 1994 Babies

YOUTH RECONCILIATION ARTS COMPETITION

YOUR OWN STORY OF RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation has played a major role in South Africa’s history, but 18 years later many still do not feel reconciled or healed from the wounds of the past. YOU – the first ‘born-free’ generation – are the hope for our future! We would like to give you an opportunity to tell us your story of reconciliation. Submit your original written work, photograph or canvas artwork portraying your (hi)story of reconciliation.

“Write, Draw, Paint or photograph your own story!”

Closing Date: 15 September

For more information or to submit click here

Tel: (021) 763 7135

Email: zdavids@ijr.org.za

Are you between the ages of 18 and 25? Are you based in Gauteng?

Through an integrated service-learning programme, City Year Service Leaders mentor children and conduct after school programmes, lead citizens in community service initiatives, and work on other critical issues facing children and communities.

At the same time, City Year Service Leaders develop the skills and knowledge to enhance their learning and employment opportunities upon completing the programme.

For more info: http://www.cityyear.org.za/JoinCY.html

Download application form: http://www.cityyear.org.za/applicationform.pdf?