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Inspiration May 2013 theTeacher

Thapelo Moloabi

Countries globally are dealing with the chal-lenge of increased inci-dents of rape and sexual violation against women

and young girls. South Africa is no different.

In fact, our country has acquired a reputation for being the capital of rape and violence against women, along with India.

Recent statistics by People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa) show that in South Africa a woman is raped every 17 seconds and accord-ing to the Medical Research Council (MRC), one in four men have admit-ted to rape.

As a young man living in this coun-try, I pose these questions for an answer: how long should women live in fear? How long should we as men, all of whom have women in our lives (whether this be our grandmother, mother, sister, niece, lover or female neighbours) fear for their lives?

Grade 12s as leadersI am proud to be at Highlands North Boys’ High School as a grade 12 learner because we, young men in the class of 2013, would all like to do well academically but more impor-tantly, we are committed to contrib-uting to women’s safety by taking responsibility as the citizens and future leaders of this country.

We have initiated a Rise Above Rape campaign, which kicked off just after Anene Booysen from Bredasdorp in the Western Cape was raped, assaulted and left to die. From this experience, as well as many oth-ers, we have come to learn that per-petrators and victims come from our neighbourhoods, families and communities.

We have chosen to collectively join with anti-rape activists around the world in standing up and being counted amongst those who speak up for the rights of everyone.

We believe charity begins at home. At Highlands North, a school for boys only, we first encourage young men to “Rise Above Rape” at our school, and then spread the cam-paign to other schools. They are join-ing the movement in big numbers.

How it all startedAt our school, we were fortunate to be visited by Professor Khalil Osiris, an expert in personal behaviour change and restorative practices. He runs a programme in our school called the COC Mentoring Programme and Positive Behavioural and Interventions System, which deal with decreasing disciplinary challenges in schools.

Our class of 2013 has already ben-efitted from his lectures and he has only been at our school for about three months. His programme teaches learners how to think, and this has helped us focus on our stud-ies and to help those lagging behind to catch up.

While we all want to pass matric, we believe we also have a responsi-bility towards South Africa to create a better future for our country. We can do both. The programme also encourages community involvement and projects that make a difference in the world. We have chosen to rise above the scourge of rape and violence against women and young girls.

What steps were taken to get this campaign started?Our schools’ matriculants began the campaign during a positive behav-ioural training with Professor Osiris,

whose COC Mentoring Programme and Positive Behavioural and Interventions System is in our school.

It is through his mentorship that this campaign came to be; • The learners started to brainstorm a name for the campaign as well as the objectives and an action plan;• Designers  in our midst got crea-tive and came up with concepts for t-shirts that carry a message against rape; • Learners worked on creating post-ers; and• All learners who are willing to rise above rape signed a commitment and took a pledge to support the campaign to the very end.

We aim to grow the campaign, led by young men, beyond South Africa’s borders. We believe that women deserve better.

We have to be party to creating a generation of men who are pro human rights. We must make a mark as responsible young men, turn the tables and create a generation that invests in its future.

Learners  at  Highlands  North Boys High School acknowledge that their history with the media has not always been good, especially across the past two years. We as Highlanders are on a path to become positive role models.

There is one particular component that will ensure that this campaign keeps moving: our values. We have Highlander values. However, you do not have to be at Highlands North Boys High School to be a Highlander. You only have to share and practice the values.

What Highlanders value A woman — behind every strong man is a strong woman. It’s true!Hard work — hard work pays off Health — love yourself. You cannot help others if you cannot help your-self first.Education — this is the key to suc-cess. It is not a myth.

Religion — we believe that with God nothing is impossible.

We have learnt that in the past, women fought for equality. Now it is time for real men to rise. It is time for change.

As young men, we can kill this barbaric and disgusting act called rape. It all begins with you and me.

Think about all the strong women out there without a voice.

Let us voice the words they keep inside, hidden behind loving smiles.

This initiative is dedicated to

those who have died and suffered abuse.

We will promote and protect the rights of women and girls in our homes, schools and community.

To sign the pledge, please join this movement and check us on our Facebook page @riseaboverape and on Twitter @riseaboverape

Thapelo Moloabi is a Grade 12 learner at Highlands North Boys High School and a budding writer

Young men rising above rapeGrade 12s commit to changing perceptions about young men through their campaign

A Highlands North Boys’ High School initiativeI, a proud South African young man, pledge to support the RISE ABOVE RAPE campaign by respecting all women and girls.

In honour of those who have died and suffered abuse, I will promote and protect the rights of women and girls in my home, school and community.

The pledgeFor more information about the COC Mentoring Programme, check out cocmentoring.org and mlkdayalliancesa.co.za

Help for survivorsRape helpline 08000 55 555Childline 08000 55 555Stop Gender Abuse 0800 150 150People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa) 083 765 1235

COC mentoring programme

Maths quiz solutionsWorking out the remainder, an amount left over after dividing numbers

Let the number be N ...if it leaves a remainder of four when divided by �ve, then if we add one to it, it will be divisible by �ve.if it leaves a remainder of three when divided by four, then if we add one to it, it will be divisible by four.if it leaves a remainder of two when divided by three, then if we add one to it, it will be divisible by three.if it leaves a remainder of one when divided by two, then if we add one to it, it will be divisible by two.

If we add one more to the number, then it will be divisible by �ve, four, three and two. N + 1 is divisible by �ve, four, three and two.Therefore one possibility for N + 1 is 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 = 120, which means that N would be 119.

Graphic: JOHN McCANN Quiz source: NRICH

Question one

Question two

Yes, Lerato and Bongani could be thinking of the same numberOne is a possible answer. The other possible answers are one more than acommon multiple of four and seven, for example, 28 + 1 = 29 or 56 + 1 = 57.

Highlands North Boys’ High School’s class of 2013 lead the change. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy