The reality of living in South Africa is that many of us have either personally experienced or been affected by generations-long cycles of gender-based violence. As we move towards the annual Women’s Day commemoration of 9th August, it is important to note that the struggles of the women in 1956 remain the struggle of women today.

After all, those courageous women took to the streets and sought to take the Apartheid government to task over the restrictive dompas which not only infringed on their physical mobility but on their human rights as well. While South Africans now live in a constitutional democracy and there is no identity document that can determine where we may live, work or what times we may occupy public spaces – socio-economic inequality, oppression and perpetrators of misogyny continue to severely restrict the freedoms of women and children, traumatising families and communities with senseless acts of violence.

Amidst all of this, there are organisations and passionate individuals who have made it their life’s work to give hope and restoration in bleak circumstances. One such organisation is Mosaic Training, Service and Healing Centre which is hard at work in providing care and material support to survivors of gender-based violence. This Thursday on Wednesday, 8 August 2024 the centre will host a fundraising gala dinner at The Westin, Cape Town. Rachel Kolisi of The Kolisi Foundation will deliver the keynote address and I will host the evening.

Individuals and organisations are welcome to donate R5 000.00 for a seat at the fundraiser to aid the continuation of Mosaic Training, Service and Healing Centre’s notable work in making our communities healthier and safer. Scan the QR code in the image to make your contribution.