Man’s long walk to fight abuse
Molosankwe hopes to sensitise communities
A North West man walked 160km and slept by the roadside for three days in his bid to raise awareness of the fight against women and children abuse.
Thato Molosankwe, 39, walked from Mahikeng to Jouberton in Klerksdorp, where 15-year-old Nombuyiselo Nombewu was killed and burnt to ashes, allegedly by her neighbour, two weeks ago.
Nombuyiselo’s body was found in a veld in a week that saw a high number of murders of women being reported in South Africa.
Police have since arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with Nombuyiselo’s murder.
Molosankwe said that as someone who had witnessed abuse against women, he realised it was time to do something to stop the scourge.
He said by walking, he wanted other men to see the pain he went through, with the hope that they would help stop the abuse.
“I endured a painful walk but that will not be compared to the pain Nombuyiselo felt [as she was being killed] or what her parents feel about her murder,” Molosankwe said.
He also said communities needed to support the families of victims, a gesture which he believes would help sensitise people to violence against women and children.
Arriving in Jouberton on Saturday, Molosankwe said he saw a broken community. He also saw two gangs fighting each other and no one cared to stop them.
“I immediately realised that it was a broken community with no social activities.”
Molosankwe said he was told there was no community policing in the area, no organisations for the youth and that there was a high rate of unemployment in the area.
He promised to return to the township on Wednesday to establish a social club.
“I want to keep them [youth] busy, I am planning to establish something like a talent search as a remedial action.”
While walking, Molosankwe said, he spoke to men and pleaded with them to protect women and children.
“I talk to them, some listen just because they are surprised that I would walk such a distance to call on men to stop the abuse.
“Some showed concern.” He also pleaded with fathers to have strong relationships with their sons.
“Some feel neglected and use the abuse to close the gap.”
The founder of Thato Molosankwe Foundation said he planned to have a long-distance walk at least once a year to raise awareness on abuse.