Former headgirl’s drive follows brother’s death in Jegels killing
The Protect Our Girls campaign, the braindchild of Simphiwe Mili and the Kingsridge High School 2010 prefect body, aim to make a difference by addressing the scourge of gender-based violence in SA.
“This idea came after the #AmINext campaign and when I lost my brother, Siyasanga Dayimani, as Leighandre Jegels’ [‘E Cape champion boxer shot dead’, Daily Dispatch, August 31 2019] alleged killer collided into a car with my brother in last year,” Mili said.
Mili, a former KHS 2010 headgirl, suggested the idea to her former prefect body, who took on the task.
Her brother and Aluta Olota, both 29, were killed as Jegel’s alleged killer, Bulelani Manyakama, collided into the vehicle they were travelling in near Peddie in August last year.
“We felt like charity begins at home.
“We feel it is a great platform to take ownership, give back to the community and bring about change in our school and town,” she said.
The 2010 prefect body will hand over what has been raised by March 4 at KHS’s 145th birthday celebrations on March 6.
“As part of my speech on the day, I have a vision of doing something different. “And a big part of GBV awareness is including boy children,” said the former KHS headgirl.
As part of the campaign, the community is encouraged to donate what they can.
“In addition to pepper spray cans and whistles, we’d also like to run self-defense classes for free.
“We have had a wonderful response so far, and this campaign is not meant to be once off,” Mili said.
Various people from the community had also shown interest in talks on GBV, she said.
“It’s time for us to do something as it’s very painful to watch our girls lose their lives every day.
“We need to start having those conversations with the young men,” Mili said.
Donations can be made to: First National Bank, Account number: 62025249021, Branch code: 210519. Reference: Classof2010donation
E-mail proof of payment to michelljvr@yahoo.com. For more details, e-mail Mili on milisimphiwe@gmail.com
