Yokhuselo chairman hands over the reins
AFTER tirelessly working as the chairman of Yokhuselo Haven in Port Elizabeth for almost three decades, lawyer Daryl Burman has stepped down and given way to “new blood”.
Burman, who founded Yokhuselo with his wife, Olga, and Dr Lorna Brown in 1988, will still be involved with the haven as vice-chairman.
“The South African constitution states a chairman’s term runs for two years and my two years are up. My successor, Antonette Hamman, is the perfect choice to take over ,” he said.
St Nicholas Anglican Church in Circular Drive honoured the Burmans last month with a Person of Valour Award.
“It means a terrific amount to me – without money we still managed to make a difference to a lot of people. It’s an honour, with the church choosing 12 individuals every year,” Burman said of the award.
He said they had started Yokhuselo because there was no safe place in Port Elizabeth for battered women to seek refuge, and in the more than 30 years Yokhuselo has had its doors open, they have helped more than 4 000 women and 8 000 children.
“Here at the haven, we always tell women they don’t have to accept abuse. We train women to become economically independent and try to educate teachers and schools to watch out for signs of erratic behaviour which could be the result of abuse,” Burman said. – Nomazima Nkosi