#100MenMarch stands up against women and children violence

Over 1000 men gathered in the country’s capital in anticipation for the 100MenMarch to the Union Buildings with an intention to highlight the impact of violence against women and children while also calling for an end to the violence. The march took place on the 10^th July as part of the Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations. A host of reputable speakers from civil society, government, religion, and media shared messages with the masses.

The programme director on the day was Minister of Communications, Nomvula Mokonyane who called on men to not only march but practice what they preach as well. She requested men to hold hands and say ‘not in my name, no means no, I am Mandela’s product, real men don’t abuse and rape – they love and protect’. The minister and other government officials lit a torch and signed a pledge board vowing to help stop gender-based violence in South Africa.

The police brass band opened proceedings by reciting national anthem.

Hundreds of young law enforcement officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tshwane Training Academy took part in the 100MenMarch. Police Minister, Bheki Cele said the potential officers’ invitation to these proceedings was to urge them to protect women. “When women come to police stations battered, bruised and bloodies, they should not be sent back home to negotiate because that is sending them to their deaths,” he said.

Cele continued his address by stating, “If you can’t handle her, turn around and walk away, because if you put a hand on her, you are no more a man.”

The minister also urged women not to stay in abusive relationships. “Women don’t stay with a man who raises his hand against you, leave because he will proceed to stabbing you with a knife,” Cele’s remarks about women taking care of themselves didn’t go down well with some as they felt he was putting the blame squarely on them.

Another grouping that didn’t support the march was #TOTALSHUTDOWN, a women’s league that often marches against intersectional gender-based violence. The national spokesperson of its task team claimed they were not part of the march. “We cannot march with our perpetrators, we cannot continue pretending that everything is okay whilst we are murdered on a daily basis and assaulted right in front of a government that is not taking any action,” said the spokesperson. They also stated that formed Department of Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Mduduzi Manana, is still walking free after getting a slap on the wrist in court and with no action taken after assaulting his domestic worker. The organization believes this march was a PR stunt from the government. They are striking against the march as they don’t feel safe around men.

Amongst other government officials at the march, was the Minister of Women in the Presidency, Bathabile Dlamini, who said violence against women and children is against humanity and urged men to understand that when a woman says No she means No.

Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Cllr Solly Msimanga walked side by side with other men around the capital city. He encouraged men to stand against violence on women and children. “We need to say enough is enough, we will take a stand and say we will protect women and children,” he said.

National Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli urged men not to use violence to resolve disagreements. “When we become violent, it doesn’t solve the problem, it simply complicates things and this has a huge impact on children, said Tsenoli. He further stated that its impact on society as a whole is bad as it reaffirms the notion that this is how problems are solved and it is not worth it.

Tsenoli told the crowd they could benefit a lot more by using persuasion. “Persuade and be persuaded as men, this is a better and more humane way of handling things”, he concluded.

 Photos: Google

Inspiring youth’s lives through jazz: 

Tshepo Maseko

T

shepo Maseko worked for a couple of companies but after not being satisfied with the way he was treated and the wages he was given, he opted to trade it so he could follow his passion for music. Armed with his father’s support, Tshepo founded a company and named it Elephant Maseko, which assists young talented musicians through a project titled It Has To Be Jazz.

According to a recent study, our taste in music changes as we get older to match the shifting circumstances in our lives. The elderly tend to listen to classical and jazz music whereas the youth lean towards contemporary music such as pop and hip-hop. Using It Has To Be Jazz, Tshepo is disrupting the generational listening trends. The project’s aim is to expand the platform for young jazz cats and sister to get their music out whilst also preserving the genre for the future.

Tshepo established this project working with friends and musicians he’s known for a while. The project grew through word of mouth and has attracted struggling young musicians looking to get their big break. They meet on a regular basis at a studio in Pretoria, 15 to 30 minutes later they’re jamming and that jam is being recorded. In fact, every aspect of these sessions is documented. “A group of jazz musicians who have never met before, gather in a studio to jam and record together for the very first time,” says Maseko.

“I can’t change people but I can plant a seed and they can decide what to do with that seed”

The 27-year-old possesses a Degree in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Sound Engineering. He wasn’t happy working at an event management company so he decided to quit his job and pursue a career in music. Tshepo says the inspiration to get his company registered comes from his dad. “It Has To Be Jazz project is a gift of love from my father. The project remained a concept for a while waiting for the right opportunity to be explored and implemented,” he says.

Through the project, they expose raw talent in the industry where young jazz musicians get to do what they love doing best, which is to get into several jam sessions and showcase their talent. They sell their albums and engage in live performances as well.

These are but a few of the many skill sets that have become invaluable in successfully running and growing It Has To Be Jazz while addressing the issue of entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth. Poetry is also an integral part of It Has to Be Jazz when jazz and poetry are combined.

They are not just recorded, but also documented in a book. The first has been published, titled It Has To Be Jazz - Captured Moments, it profiles each of the musicians and the ideas behind the album they have contributed in. The other albums, already recorded, are called Spontaneous Combustion, The Exchange, The Horn of Africa, Mother Tongue and Playground.

The biggest piece of advice Tshepo can give to young people is to take 100% responsibility for their lives and stop feeling sorry for themselves.

His biggest fear is to let his parents down because they have sacrificed and invested a lot in him. He is a family orientated young man and when free, he makes sure he spends time with them. As for ladies, he is so single.

Being in control of his own time and talents and building a legacy for the next generation gives Tshepo the most satisfaction. “I can’t change people but I can plant a seed and they can decide what to do with that seed,” he concludes.

Q & A with Jackie Phamotse, author of Bare_The Blesser’s Game

 From blessee to entrepreneur

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ackie Phamotse has experienced the trauma of gang-raping at age 17, homeless and abuse. At only 29-years of age, she is the author of the best selling autobiographical novel, Bare_The Blesser’s Game, which exposes young women to the realities of the blessee lifestyle often glamorised. Jackie became a success against the odds, she is currently a businesswoman, motivational speaker and brand strategist for MoFaya. She is currently traveling across the continent launching her book and despite her tight schedule we managed to have a quick interview with her.

·         

  What is the inspiration behind your book?

I started working on Bare the blesser’s game in 2014 after realizing I was dealing with a lot of unresolved personal issues and my standing in the society which prompted me to share my experience with those seeking my assistance. We are raised and taught to regard our parents as our seniors where we cannot confide in them when faced with challenges. It was imperative that I communicate my teenage struggles as I entered adulthood. Writing served as my way out because I found it difficult sharing my mental struggles with friends. While writing and conducting research on the issue of sugar daddies and human trafficking, I came to realize that lots of girls around the globe were struggling with similar issues.  

Sex trafficking or slavery is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of forced sex work. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and sex trafficking of women and girls, and is characterized by the exploitation of a human being in exchange for goods or money. Each year, an estimated 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders—though additional numbers of women and girls are trafficked within countries. 

Fact is, some of this human trade is highly visible, an example is prostitution. However, a lot of trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting and sometimes suburban neighborhoods. Human trafficking victims may also operate in public and private locations such as massage parlours and strip clubs.

Adult women make up the largest group of sex trafficking victims, followed by girl children, while a small percentage of men and boys are trafficked into the sex industry as well. 

Human trafficking migration patterns tend to flow from East to West, but women may be trafficked from any country to another at any given time and trafficking victims exist everywhere. The poorest and most unstable countries have the highest incidences of human trafficking, with poverty being a common bond among trafficking victims. Where economic alternatives do not exist, women and girls are more vulnerable to being tricked and coerced into sexual servitude.

 Increased unemployment and high unemployment levels have undermined women's incomes and their economic position. A stalled gender wage gap, as well as an increase in women's part-time and informal sector work, push women into low paying jobs and hidden unemployment, which leaves women vulnerable to sex traffickers. Social media sex work has increased over the last 3 years and women now find it easy to trade themselves online for material goods, lavish lifestyles, overseas trips and swanky apartments. In some cases, sugar daddies supplement their tertiary fees and force them into various sex cults. In my book, I share a story that many people in the world relate too.

·         
  What is the objective of your book?

BARE, is social lifestyle educational novel.

It educates as well as informs young people of the dangers of sugar daddies while also shedding light on this dangerous phenomenon. I wanted to open doors to conversations that many fear to tap into.

Organized crime is largely responsible for the spread of international human trafficking and sugar daddy relationships are the biggest trend that increases cases of human trafficking. Sex trafficking—along with its correlative elements, kidnapping, rape, prostitution and physical abuse—is illegal in nearly every country. However, widespread corruption and greed make it possible for sex trafficking to quickly and easily proliferate. Though national and international institutions may attempt to regulate and enforce anti-trafficking legislation, local governments and police forces may, in fact, be participating in sex trafficking rings.

·         How has your life changed after releasing the book?

Apart from death threats and people stopping me for pictures and sharing their stories with me, my life is truly very simple. I started my career as a model and that on its own placed me in the spotlight. So, becoming a self-published bestselling author has given me opportunities that many fail to attain. I recently launched BARE in Swaziland and did a documentary with BBC Africa in Kenya, it has been an amazing journey.

My focus is on women education and empowerment and I am launching my foundation end of June ( SAVE A TREASUER FOUNDATION ) I am also a motivational speaker so I use the book to share insights on how we can solve social ills in Africa. I am also busy writing the next 3 books which will be released in 2019-2020.

·   What was your hardest scene to write, and why?

BARE is extremely detailed and graphics, however, the hardest must have been the rape scene in chapter 14 and my mother being kicked out of her home. Those parts took me a very long time to overcome and complete. Even after I had printed the book I can’t read those chapters. Being gang raped is a heavy mental process and it affects you for years, so going back and writing about was truly difficult. It opened old wounds. The chapters about my family foundation were tricky to write too as it exposed a lot of family secrets and my siblings were not ready for what I had to share with the world.

·       How long did it the take you to gather up the courage to write the book?

3 years.

          The way your book ends raises a lot of questions, are you planning to write part two?

Yes, there is a sequel titled BARE the doors of the hockey club.

·    Towards the end of your book, you mentioned a couple of women who died in the name of love. The number of violence against women has escalated, what’s your take on that?

It's horrific that every day a woman is killed by a lover, we need to educate our men and find better solutions to abusive men. What is scarier is that women die just after they leave abusive men, which means the biological strength of men is poor.

         What advice can you give to young women who feel like dating blessers is the “it” thing or is the only option for them to get out of poverty or any circumstance?

Work to achieve your own dreams because no amount of money will increase your personal value. Education opens a chain of sustainable opportunities that money can’t give you. Just believe in your own self-value and dreams.

·    By looking at social media, your book hit a lot of nerves, some positive others negative. How do you deal with haters?

I don’t entertain such at all. It has no effect on me.

The ex-blessee bares it all in her book, purchase yourself a copy on her website www.jackiephamotse.com and in all bookstores including Exclusive Books, Bargain books, Take a Lot.com and University Bookshops including Compubooks.

Jackie Phamotse has been recognised for contribution to literature in Africa by the African Icon Awards in Lagos, Nigeria and will accept the award for Literary Icon of the Year for 2018

Photo Credit: Instagram