Campaign against GBV: Swartland launches new mural
Learners at Schoonspruit Secondary School doing Visual Arts and Design as subjects, under the guidance of their Arts teacher, Celeste Arendse, took part in the Swartland Municipality’s campaign to create awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against children.
The municipality decided to partner with the local community through an extensive art project in a bid to spread the message that efforts to stop gender-based violence should be ongoing, 365 days of the year, and that it requires everyone’s support.
Throughout the year, local schools and organisations will be contributing to a mural in Malmesbury helping to create consciousness and awareness about the prevalence of GBV in communities and throughout South Africa.
The first session took place on Friday, 10 March 2023, where learners from Schoonspruit Secondary School in Malmesbury began painting the first section of this mural. This wall spans the Wesbank Sport field and is in a high traffic area, making sure that any person who drives or walks by, will clearly see the message and the commitment of the entire community in ending gender-based violence.
The Executive Mayor, Harold Cleophas and various councillors added their paint brushes to the project to demonstrate that this is an issue that unites the community regardless of political affiliations.
“The involvement of our learners in creating this mural and spreading this message is critically important. By making them aware and empowering them with knowledge and tools, will help us break the cycle of abuse,” said Mayor Cleophas.
The mural will continue to expand as the project continues and involve more schools and organisations to help raise awareness against gender-based violence, every day of year.
This is a pilot project and similar initiatives will be rolled out in all the towns in the municipal area, ensuring that the message of no violence against women and children reaches every corner of Swartland.
