Women have had enough
Bridge fall survivor says ‘don’t turn a blind eye’ to abuse happening around you and don’t be defined by violence that happened to you, writes Vivian Attwood
N THE night of November 13, 2009 teacher Kavisha Seevnarain, then 26, was carjacked by an armed gang and thrown off the uMkhomazi Bridge to probable death.
Not only did she survive but she went on to see her would-be killers receive long jail terms. She also became a passionate advocate of non-violence.
The Sunday Tribune spoke to Seevnarain yesterday in Durban, where she was representing the 5 Minutes for Women and Children Founda-
Otion, as spokeswoman. The foundation aims to create a “conscious awareness” of violence perpetrated against women, and encourage every South African to assume responsibility for the vulnerable, rather than turning a blind eye.
Speaking on the tragic death of little Jaimie Naidoo in Durban recently, Seevnarain said: “My ordeal doesn’t haunt me. I am not defined by it.
“But what it did do was make me aware of the huge incidence of acts of violence against women and children in our country.
“It is happening everywhere, and all the time. Everyone is so wrapped up in their own busy lives, but it’s time to take stock of the Jaimies among us. We have to say: ‘Enough!’ And I believe this process starts with the family unit. If you build strong, loving families, then confident children are the result.
“A confident child will report abuse. A loved and valued woman won’t become the victim of abuse.”
Seevnarain’s family is very close-knit and that, she says, is the main reason she bounced back so well from her ordeal.
“We start with building stronger families, and we need to look at ensuring our police are all 100 percent committed to the job they do.
“I am still in regular contact with the incredible detectives who worked on solving my case. If all our police were like them, we’d be halfway to winning this battle.”
Shamilla Pather, founder of 5 Minutes for Women & Children, was a victim of childhood abuse. “I was viciously beaten, and so was my mother. And so were most of the women and children in our street.
“We have political freedom now, but we are still not regarded as complete equals.
“We need to dismantle a society where it’s okay to vent your anger on the vulnerable. And you can make a difference, starting right now.”
The foundation is conducting ritual foot washing to highlight the values of love, humility and interconnectedness. Support them at these malls: Hillcrest Corner (December 15 to 20); City View Centre (December 19); and Pinecrest Centre (December 5-31).