My 67 Minutes: Di's diary on Bikers For Mandela Day
Is it possible to be tired and incredibly inspired at the same time?
Must be, because I am … tired of hearing about and seeing the effect of gender based violence and abuse, but deeply inspired by those who stand up and those who help the broken ones to heal and fly.
Bikers for Mandela day 2016 got off to a powerful start yesterday.
The theme of restoring the dignity of survivors of gender based violence, was firmly set, with 67 minutes of service at Bethany House in Johannesburg.
The bikers painted, planted and spent time with some of the residents. Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Sello Hatang got their hands dirty in the vegetable garden.
Much needed donations of cash and supplies were delivered and then the road trip started.
We reached Mbombela at 13:00, where the bikers and members of the public attended two free screenings of the multiple award winning movie “Dis ek, Anna”, the story of a woman’s journey, after sexual abuse by her step-father.
Lead actress and co-producer, Charlene Brouwer, was there in person. She shared the staggering abuse reality in South Africa: one in five children and one in three women are affected by abuse of some kind.
However, it was the personal account of surviving such abuse by Josina Machel, daughter of Madiba’s widow, Graca Machel, that flattened me. I have read the reports, but hearing Josina speak out, was raw and real.
Her message is clear: Speak out, seek help, be kind to yourself and don’t give up hope.
One of the organisations who offer the much needed help to abuse victims, is the Greater Rape Intervention Project, GRIP.
Today, Bikers for Mandela day will travel to the Baberton police station and together with GRIP, refurbish the facility where victims of rape are received and assisted.
Realising that its in our hands to make our world a better place, is the first step.
Doing something about it, is the next …
Today, I will join the bikers in doing just that.