DON’T HIDE RAPE
Rape survivors encouraged to speak out ▶ ‘I was raped by my own uncle at the age of 13’
Keletso Gareebine, a 37-year-old woman from Serowe, has encouraged rape victims to speak out, lest they suffer lifelong negative psychological effects.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony for Team Uhuru last Wednesday, Gareebine narrated how her uncle raped her at a tender age of 13, an ordeal that she has endured all this time until now as a wife, mother and career woman.
Team Uhuru, which comprises gym enthusiasts, runners, hikers, authors and health care workers, will from September 25 to October 1st, hike Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. They expect to reach the summit of the 5 000 metres high mountain on September 30, the day Botswana celebrates her 55th independence anniversary. The aim of the expedition is to raise awareness about the effects of rape on the mental health of survivors.
Gareebine recounted how she tried to report her rape to those close to her, but could not since she feared the embarrassment that she would cause her family.
She also believed that she was the one to blame for what happened. She managed to bottle it up all through her teenage years, but at a heavy price because she suffered low self-esteem. Her parents could not understand her and concluded that she was a rebellious child. It was only years later while at university that her secret was exposed. “It was during a Psychology class when during a role-play involving a victim of rape and a counsellor that my suppressed emotions were triggered. “I lost consciousness and emergency paramedics were called only for me to regain consciousness in a hospital,” Gareebine said. As a student, Gareebine benefited from counselling services from the university clinic.
Following her victory over the harrowing experience of being violated by someone she looked up to, she decided to mobilise a few passionate individuals to join her in raising their voices against the rape pandemic and seek assistance for survivors. Gareebine recalls how in 2020 due to the alarming rise in rape cases, she relapsed and had to take depression medication. This solidified her resolve to help those that are also going through mental health challenges as a result of being rape victims. Her intention is to target young boys and girls between the ages of 12-21 who have gone through and might still be going through the harrowing experience that she went through.
France Ambassador to Botswana and host of the event, Laurence Beau was impressed by each hiker’s personal journey and their commitment to assist rape victims. Beau praised the team for the “great mission of hope” and solidarity and revealed that a French company, Decathlon & Forclaz, has pledged to sponsor Team Uhuru’s cause. Team members include Gareebine, Galaletsang Dintsi, Jakes Motlhabane, Monkgogi Thakgathi, Masego Mokgatlhane, Papiso Makwati, Olerato Duna and Pinkie Montsho. Team Uhuru is looking for sponsors to help support 40 young people of 12 to 19 years and their guardians with counselling and therapy sessions. This requires a total of P460 000. If one adopts a child, it’s P5400 for the sessions. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Dr Themba Mmusi applauded the activists’ efforts in addressing issues related to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and rape. He emphasised that perpetrators should be named and shamed for the society to know that they are a danger to the community. He said that the Sex Offenders’ Registry will help once it is implemented. Mmusi also said survivors should be protected especially when it is children, adding that in most instances perpetrators are family members and relatives. He called on parents to be cautious of their male relatives especially around girl children.