Taking a stand against trafficking
Rugby legend, business band together to raise awareness
The Springboks are currently not “world beaters” but can take the top spot again with the right mindset.
That is the opinion of Springbok legend Andre Joubert who will be leading the third Anti-Human Trafficking 5km walk at Blue Lagoon on Saturday, October 8, ahead of the haka resounding around King’s Park Stadium at 5pm the same day when the All Blacks face off against the Springboks.
Joubert and business partner Steve Cooper have partnered with the Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre for close to 10 years, helping the NGO in their fight against human trafficking, especially in Durban.
Speaking to The Independent on Saturday at the launch of this year’s walk, Joubert said he still has a strong passion for rugby and rarely misses a Springbok match.
Known as the “Rolls Royce of fullbacks” during his playing days, Joubert was part of the victorious Springbok team that won the Rugby World Cup in 1995, an event etched into the minds of the South African public when Joel Stransky finished off the match with a heart-stopping, last-minute drop goal, winning the match. This was followed by a jubilant Nelson Mandela donning the Springbok jersey.
With the All Blacks set to jet into the city, Joubert said, “The sad thing is we are not world beaters at the moment, but this can change with the right mindset. We still have the talent.”
He added that rugby was a business and with the right management and talent, the Springboks could get back on to a winning streak.
Sport
He also highlighted the important role sport plays in lifting the public’s spirits, while also creating a good networking environment for the business sector.
Commenting on the changeover in the Sharks rugby franchise, which will see Gary Teichmann taking the reins, Joubert said, “The Sharks have gone a bit backwards, but it is great that Gary (Teichmann) is coming. I believe he will bring a lot of positive energy as well as bringing back the culture of the Sharks.”
But he added that filling the stadium to the same levels seen in the 1990’s would be a challenge.
“The Sharks have to compete with Durban’s entertainment infrastructure, which is one of the best cities when it comes to offering entertainment.”
And while he will be watching the Springbok v All Blacks on match day, his day will start when he leads the annual 5km Anti-Human Trafficking Walk, along with Cooper and their two families.
Commenting on their long-standing relationship with the centre, Joubert said “There is always a need. We want to make people aware that this is a daily reality, it’s not just something from the movies.”
The centre works with people living on the street, including sex workers, and is at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking.
The centre’s youth co-ordinator, Thami Ntimbane, said the support of Durban business owners such as Joubert and Cooper made their work possible, such as rescuing human trafficking victims.
“With the tight economy, the number of victims just keeps on growing as people are desperate for jobs. We have also seen that human smuggling is quickly turned into trafficking,” said Ntimbane.
This happens when foreigners arrive in South Africa desperate to find work. But not only foreigners were targeted for human trafficking, Ntimbane said.
He also stressed that trafficking was not limited to women.
“Men, women and children get trafficked. There is forced labour and all ages of people are kidnapped for organ theft. Don’t think you are too old, too young or too educated to become a victim of trafficking.
“We have also seen there is a huge market online for child pornography, so parents must remain alert,” said Ntimbane.
The theme for this year’s Anti-Human Trafficking Walk is “Taking a stand step by step”. The walk leaves from the Green Hub at Blue Lagoon. Registration starts at 8.30am. Entry is R70.
For more information, contact 031 824 7951 or e-mail thami@ucec.org.za.