logo
#

Latest news with #IkamvaLabantu

Why we should honour, support the heroines who walk quietly every day
Why we should honour, support the heroines who walk quietly every day

IOL News

time6 hours ago

  • General
  • IOL News

Why we should honour, support the heroines who walk quietly every day

Ikamva Labantu, an organisation formed 60 years supports a network of women called Afternoon Angels, who open their homes to provide afterschool care to keep children safe. ON WOMEN'S Day, as we remember the fearless women who marched against the Pass Laws in 1956, there are millions who walk quietly through our communities every day. These are women who, through tireless care and unseen labour, hold together the fragile fabric of our society. The phrase 'Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' – you strike a woman, you strike a rock – is not just a rallying cry, it's a reflection of daily reality. In a country crying out for healing and rebuilding, there is no more powerful force to walk alongside than women. It is time to build with them, invest in them, and trust their leadership. Ikamva Labantu, the organisation I am privileged to lead, was born from the quiet but radical resistance of women. Over 60 years ago, our founder Helen Lieberman, defied segregation laws to follow a sick child into Langa. What she encountered was not hopelessness, but strength. Women who were surrounded by local children, who were rolling up their sleeves, cooking for many with little, organising informal schools and caring for their neighbourhood's elders. She found human nature at its best. Helen joined these women and together, these 'Mamas' who held communities together with no resources, no rights and who defied the odds, planted the seeds of our community-led and women-led organisation. Ikamva Labantu means 'the future of the people' and its work is the work of women. It is the work of nation building. Today, 95% of Ikamva Labantu's staff are women, and the majority come from the same communities they are serving, giving us intimate insights into our communities' needs. We serve over 1 400 elders through 17 community-led senior centres and for those who are homebound, through local community-based workers who provide rehabilitative care alongside our Occupational Therapy team. We support a network of women called Afternoon Angels, who open their homes to provide afterschool care to keep children safe and off the streets so they can enjoy a better future. In Khayelitsha, our model preschool serves as a hub for training Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and principals, because we know that quality, early education is the most powerful investment a country can make in its future. We also know this: when you train a woman, you uplift a household. And when you support a local woman to support her community, you ignite a cycle of change that can last for generations. Yet, especially in under-resourced communities, the majority of women carry the greatest burden – of care, of poverty, of violence. Women are less likely to benefit from capital investment or formal recognition. This despite global research consistently affirming what we have seen on the ground: that women are more likely than men to invest their earnings and skills back into their families and communities – creating a ripple effect that benefits all. It is not only about generating opportunities for individual women; it is about systemic change that benefits the whole economy. This concept, often called 'womenomics,' is not just a feel-good slogan – it is smart economics. When I was growing up on the Cape Flats, there was so much poverty and gangsterism that I believed my success story would be that I 'got out.' Now as I work alongside the women of our townships, I know that the real heroes are the people who stay and against all the odds continue to build their fellow humanity and community. So, on Women's Day as we honour the women who walked in 1956, we must also honour those who walk quietly every day and support them as they build our future. Davids is Ikamva Labantu director

Mandela Day 2025: Cape Town shows up to honour Madiba's legacy
Mandela Day 2025: Cape Town shows up to honour Madiba's legacy

Time Out

time18-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time Out

Mandela Day 2025: Cape Town shows up to honour Madiba's legacy

Every year on July 18, people across the globe dedicate 67 minutes to service in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent fighting for justice and human rights. What began as a birthday tribute in 2008 has become a global movement, officially recognised by the United Nations and first celebrated in 2010. This year's theme saw a call for solidarity from the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Here's how Cape Town answered that call. The spirit of Mandela Day is alive at Kamva Labantu, where a steady stream of supporters from corporate teams beading Relate Bracelets to generous donors and walk-in volunteers came together to make a difference. Ikamva Labantu's Senior Clubs offer vital support to older adults, including healthcare, nutrition, legal aid, and home-based care for the bedridden. In partnership with Relate Bracelets since 2011, the clubs also give elders the chance to supplement their pensions by crafting cause-related bracelets. KFM's Tracey Lange joined in on the day raising awareness of the daily struggles faced by these elderly Capetonians. Ishrene Davids, Director of Ikamva Labantu stated, 'They fought for freedom but remain vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It's time we honour their ongoing contribution and work towards real, lasting change.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Relate Bracelets (@relatebracelets) At DHL Stadium this Mandela Day, Capetonians were invited to add their fingerprint and pledge to be a #LoveActivist. With 43 canvases completed in a bid to create a vibrant 20sqm mural celebrating South Africa's flora, fauna, and shared hope for a brighter future. Once completed, the mural will be laid out on the pitch as a symbol of unity before being donated to preschools across the country to uplift and inspire young minds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ladles Of Love South Africa (@ladlesoflove) Volunteers of all ages poured creativity into crafting educational posters and handmade books for preschoolers. Bursting with colour and care, every creation is destined to inspire and support a child in need — proving that love can power learning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ladles Of Love South Africa (@ladlesoflove) Across 26 libraries, the City of Cape Town is running its annual #Coding4Mandela tournament, where young coders use offline-friendly apps like TANKS, RANGERS and a new game Juicy Gems to develop logic and problem-solving skills. Winners will go on to represent Cape Town at the national finals in August. Coding is a project of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation, while Tangible Africa is responsible for creating offline coding applications using minimal resources. Cape Town's Environmental Management Department hosted guests from vulnerable communities for a special tour of the Mandela and The Attic exhibitions at City Hall. The exhibit is a powerful reminder of Madiba's first public address from the building's balcony in 1990. In addition to linking visitors to the legacy of Madiba, the exhibition recognises the invaluable contributions of other Capetonians who were involved in the liberation struggle, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Cissie Gool and Ashley Kriel. Over 16,000 people have visited the permanent exhibition, developed with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and initially opened in December 2021. Elsewhere, the City of Cape Town assisted with hospice care packages in Helderberg, taught fire safety to kids at a Delft daycare, and even joined in netball matches at a Khayelitsha school. And of course fur-babies were also part of the mix as people offered 67 minutes of joy for rescue dogs, followed by a free cup of coffee at Time Out Market's Nosh. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Market Cape Town (@timeoutmarketcapetown) There's still a chance to get involved this weekend with the following events: Songs for Freedom, a Mandela Day fundraiser will be taking place at St Georges Cathedral - but you can still donate or live stream the event via this link. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zolani Mahola (@zolanimahola) Mandela Day Walk & Run 2025 (with Virtual Mandela Day Walk & Run option) Lace-up for the annual Mandela Day Walk & Run taking place on Saturday, 19 July 2025, with 5km, 10km, and 21km routes starting from 07:30. Entry fees range from R100 to R200, and all participants will receive a finisher's medal. Race number collection takes place on 17 and 18 July at the venue. Runners can also earn Discovery Vitality points —300 for 5km, 600 for 10km, and 1,500 for 21km. Commemorative t-shirts are available online when registering. Can't make it in person? Join the virtual race from anywhere on Sunday, 20 July 2025 - Register to complete a walk or run and connect globally. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nelson Mandela Foundation (@nelsonmandelafoundationsa)

Transforming Mandela Day 2025 into lasting impact for 67 gogos
Transforming Mandela Day 2025 into lasting impact for 67 gogos

IOL News

time08-07-2025

  • General
  • IOL News

Transforming Mandela Day 2025 into lasting impact for 67 gogos

'What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others...' – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. This Mandela Day serves as an opportunity to share the wisdom of generations while fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and support for elders. It aims to be a rallying cry for compassion, action, and enduring change that extends beyond a single day. As Mandela Day on July 18, approaches, Relate Bracelets and Ikamva Labantu highlight a transformative initiative that aims to create lasting change for the often-overlooked elders in the townships. The 'Mandela Day 2025 - 67 Gogos' initiative, spearheaded by Ikamva Labantu in partnership with Relate Bracelets, is dedicated to uplifting the lives of grandmothers who serve as the backbone of many families and communities. This year, as the community comes together to bead bracelets and share the rich stories and lessons of Nelson Mandela, they are not just honouring his legacy but they are taking significant steps towards addressing the financial struggles and emotional burdens faced by older women in society. With research indicating a concerning rise in elder financial abuse, this initiative is more critical than ever. The 'Mandela Day 2025 – 67 Gogos' initiative is calling for change that endures long after the day is done. Ikamva Labantu and Relate Bracelets have partnered to create a day to raise awareness and funds to change the lives of elders in townships. Participants on July 18 will join a group of Ikamva Labantu's 'Gogos' (grandmothers) for 67 minutes to bead bracelets while sharing stories and memories of Nelson Mandela. Older women in townships often care for children and grandchildren due to a high unemployment rate. Their limited monthly pension of just over R2300 is insufficient to cover a family's basic living costs. Ikamva Labantu's recently published independent study on elder abuse in Cape Town's townships, found elderly women are at greater risk of financial abuse. Their pensions are exploited by their own children and grandchildren, and they carry unwanted parental burden for young grandchildren. This results in older women being more impoverished. Ikamva Labantu's Senior Clubs provide essential healthcare, nutrition, as well as legal and social support. Relate Bracelets has been partnering since 2011 to provide seniors with the chance to augment their pension by beading cause-related bracelets at Ikamva Labantu's Senior Clubs. Finally, Ikamva Labantu provides bedridden older adults with access to homecare services, rehabilitation assistance, as well as assistive and mobility devices. Ishrene Davids, Director of Ikamva Labantu, says: 'Older people fought in Apartheid to ensure a better future for the next generation, but many of them do not possess the equality and human rights they fought for. Our older people are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Ikamva Labantu works with the community to provide essential services and empowers elders who may otherwise be isolated and face abuse.' 'This Mandela Day we are raising awareness about our often-forgotten elders' struggles. We call on society to recognise our elders' on-going contribution to their community by helping create lasting change in their lives.' Dalit Shekel, CEO of Relate Bracelets, says: 'Relate Bracelets' partnership with Ikamva Labantu is about honouring our gogos – the grandmothers who have held families and communities together for decades. We're proud to play a part in helping them earn with dignity, stay active and connected, and feel a renewed sense of purpose. This dignity first approach sits at the heart of everything we do. And every time someone chooses to wear a Relate bracelet, it's a small act that keeps us all connected.' The Ikamva Labantu and Relate Bracelet's Mandela Day initiative has already raised over R100 000 towards supporting Ikamva Labantu's 17 community-led Senior Clubs and homebased rehabilitative care for homebound elders, with corporates like Pam Golding Group, Sovereign Group and Spectacle World contributing. If your company, school or community has not yet pledged 67 minutes, on July 18 you can donate non-perishable food items like canned food, rice, maize meal, cooking oil, sugar and coffee to Ikamva Labantu's head office in Woodstock. These items will be distributed to Ikamva Labantu's bedridden elders.

Economic abuse: The most common yet overlooked form of gender-based violence in South Africa
Economic abuse: The most common yet overlooked form of gender-based violence in South Africa

IOL News

time02-07-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

Economic abuse: The most common yet overlooked form of gender-based violence in South Africa

Economic abuse is emerging as the most common and insidious form of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, yet many women do not recognise it as abuse.. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Economic abuse is emerging as the most common and insidious form of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, yet many women do not recognise it as abuse. This was one of the central findings of the Human Sciences Research Council's (HSRC) First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study. It was released at the end of 2024. According to a recent HSRC article based on a webinar, one in eight women over the age of 18 have experienced economic abuse, which includes the unreasonable deprivation of money or resources that a woman is legally entitled to or needs to survive. In the webinar, Ncumisa Yazo, a social worker from Mosaic, said economic abuse is the most frequent form of violence she encounters among survivors. 'Most of the cases are intimate partner cases,' she said. 'This includes the unreasonable deprivation of economic or financial resources.' The HSRC report links economic violence to other forms of abuse, showing how power and control are reinforced through financial dependency. The study found that more than 50% of women had experienced controlling behaviour from a partner, including restrictions on work, movement, and access to finances. Women with disabilities are especially vulnerable to this kind of abuse. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The data shows that 16.3% of women with disabilities had experienced economic abuse, compared to 12.8% of those without disabilities. Many are financially dependent on caregivers who exploit their disability grants and limit their ability to access support or escape abuse. Older women are another group heavily impacted by economic violence. According to a study by Ikamva Labantu, older women in townships face financial exploitation by relatives, often in multigenerational homes. 'The highest risk for abuse was in families where children or grandchildren abused substances,' said Lulama Sigasana, the organisation's Older Persons Programme Manager in the webinar. She said many older women are forced to care for grandchildren while being deprived of their pensions or income by abusive family members. Abuse is often accompanied by neglect, accusations of witchcraft, and in some cases, incestuous rape. THE MERCURY

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store