Rock Girls on an empowering road trip
Rock Girls from South Africa, America and Tanzania are on an educational and empowering two-way road trip exchange programme over the next few months. This is the first in a series of articles on their youth activism, with a view to combating gender-based violence and reducing HIV/Aids rates among the youth of colour in these countries, as well as inspiring increased civic engagement and political participation by young women and girls
IT’S 7.30am here and 1.30am in the US. I should be in bed, but I’m here, I’m finally here…
Soon after jumping off the bus, we all gather around a bench made by Rock Girl BRAVE in previous years. It reads, “Your Respect is My Strength” and “You Strike a Woman and You Strike a Mountain”. At this moment, I don’t quite absorb these quotes, but later come to understand their importance.
There it is, the renowned Lion’s Head Mountain. As it towers over my head, I realise that there is no way that I’m making it up that. Two minutes in and I’m already sweating, taking off my stylish Rock Girl BRAVE jacket, and reminiscing over the palm-sweating, kneequivering, long-forgotten days of being scared of heights.
Locals pass us by and stroll along like it’s nothing, as I nearly cough up a lung. However, I’m not alone. Other Rock Girls surround me, and we all continue on together, slowly.
We continue to push on, knowing that brownies, hot chocolate and coffee await us halfway up the mountain and this motivates me to go on, along with the incredible photos I know I could get.
The mountain is a photographer’s dream and a lazy person’s worst nightmare.
Unfortunately, I dabble in both, but I know I have to get up there and seize the day. My hunger for adventure luckily outweighs the hunger I feel for a bag of crisps and a couch.
Halfway up, we all chat and catch our breath, take selfies, and learn the “power pose”.
With our fists pressed firmly into our sides, our chests out and strong stances as we all look out on to Cape Town, I know this is exactly the type of women empowerment, unity, and community that I need. We all uplift each other, and I feel an immense joy.
As more girls continue to go further up the mountain, I decide to go with them. It gets steeper and steeper and soon I’m holding on to ladders and chains for dear life. Slippery dust and accidental glances down begin to raise my heart rate, and my fear of heights begins to creep back in.
I’m out of breath, my legs are shaking, and I doubt my strength and my ability to continue. I’m about to give up, but again I’m not alone.
Above me is Rock Girl BRAVE partner and mentor Natalina Schappach, with her hands out, a smile on her face and encouraging me to continue. This happens not once, but at least five times as I hold on to the rock for dear life.
Then it finally happens. We reach the top of the mountain and I’m in awe. This is one of the most powerful and incredible moments of my life. I can see the entire city so clearly, the ocean, Table Mountain, and Devil’s Peak.
India Baird, Rock Girl BRAVE co-ordinator, renames me “Intrepid Isis”, and I feel respected and strong.
Next, we go to the Two Oceans Aquarium to watch a stingray feeding session, and soon I am entranced by the blue glow and majestic fish.
A picture of a turtle named Bob comes on the screen, and we learn about all the issues he faced due to a stomach full of plastic bags and other trash.
All around the aquarium, we are urged to stop the use of plastic. Later, the group moves on to empowering others as we meet with the Junior Rock Girls at the Red River Primary School.
On the way, the sidewalks and streets are lined with plastic bags and trash.
We walk around the school and learn its history, its transformation and its future goals.
After an icebreaker to get to know everyone in the room, Rock Girl BRAVE participants, Junior Rock Girls, and coordinators, we begin to discuss some of the issues that we all face as women from South Africa, Tanzania and the US.
Issues like sexual harassment, gang violence and shootings, women’s health and the general treatment of women globally.
Amahn Heuvel, a Rock Girl BRAVE member once asked: “Is it like this for girls everywhere?” Unfortunately, these issues are found all around the world, and paint a harsh reality for all the women out there.