MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A Women's Month event, in celebration of the women of Buisplaas, was held at the Buisplaas Community Centre last Friday, 15 August.

The event, hosted by the Western Cape Provincial Government's directorate of Community Development and supported by community development workers, saw the women treated to coffee and sweet treats while several speakers from various organisations spoke about gender-based violence and where and how to get help.

Linda Brown, of the directorate, spoke about the different forms of abuse women can experience at the hands of their partners. She said this includes financial abuse, emotional abuse, physical and sexual abuse. 

She emphasised that abuse is a pattern of behaviour that will not change and that it is important to say enough is enough.

Linda Brown talking at the event. Photos: Chelsea Pieterse

"We must talk about it. There are organisations and people who can help," she said.

Mossel Bay Municipality ward councillor, Stephen Botha and Mayor Dirk Kotzé were also present and shared a few words at the event. Botha said that men should treat women with care and respect and that it is normal to do so.

Kotzé said gender-based violence is a silent epidemic that must be addressed with courage, compassion and collective action.

Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotzé also attended the event.

Other speakers included Buisplaas community leader Wendy Douglas, and Professor Mike de Jongh of Unisa.

KwaNonqaba Police Station's Social Crime Prevention officer, gender-based violence coordinator and the station's victim-friendly room coordinator, Sergeant Salomé Marais, then addressed the women about her role at the station and how the police can assist women when they need help.

Buisplaas community leader Wendy Douglas, and Professor Mike de Jongh of Unisa.

Sergeant Pottie Potongwana, KwaNonqaba's domestic violence coordinator, spoke to the women about protection orders and the importance of having the correct contact numbers and addresses when filling out applications for the orders.

The station's communications officer, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, then did a quick workshop with the women, breaking them up into groups to get them talking about gender-based violence, giving each group a different problem to discuss. Each group had to come up with a solution and give feedback.

Sergeant Salomé Marais spoke to the women about how and where to get help.

More speakers addressed the women before a delicious lunch was served.

Brown thanked her two colleagues, Melly Bruinders and Boniswa Matshoba, for their help and support during the event.

Sergeant Pottie Potongwana spoke about protection orders.

Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp held a brief workshop with the women.

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