Stepping out to put a stop to abuse
HE HAS set off on a monthlong journey of 1 287km from Cape Town to his native Mahikeng in North West Province by foot to raise awareness and educate men about taking responsibility to stop the abuse of women and children.
Bar his participation some years ago in the Two Oceans Marathon, Thatho Molosankwe says he has never undertaken such an arduous physical task.
“I would like to talk to as many men as I can and tell them that they should be a part of their sons’ lives. The main focus is to say ‘raise your sons properly so that they don’t end up being drug users, jailbirds or (physical) abusers’,” said Molosankwe.
A community activist, he said most abusers were bitter and often expressed their bitterness by abusing the weakest people close to them, which were often women and children.
Molosankwe said apart from education, another aspect of his walk was to raise funds towards the construction of a multipurpose centre in his home village of Lomanyaneng.
“We’re trying to raise R5 million so we can build a centre where we can look after the children, we can advance their education. We can direct their lives. Unfortunately, the government in the North West is not supportive at all,” said Molosankwe.
He said the walk is a practice run of sorts for a walk next year that he wants to undertake from Cape Town to Cairo.
“Before you do Cape to Cairo you have to see your ability by doing small walks, like Mahikeng to Joburg. Because of the increased statistics of women and child abuse, I decided to do Cape Town to Mahikeng to gauge my ability,” said Molosankwe.
While he had no itinerary of events planned along the route of his walk, he said his team in Mahikeng, who were also activists, were busy preparing for his arrival expected some time in mid-August.
“In Kimberley we have Father Kabelo Mahemo, who is organising my arrival there,” said Molosankwe.
His old friend Advice Lolwana, who arranged logistics in Cape Town, said a non-profit organisation, Bagaetsho, had similar initiatives to deal withwomen and child abuse.
Readers can follow Molosankwe’s progress on Thatho Molosankwe Charity Foundation’s Facebook page.