March 11, 2003
By Tendai Dhliwayo
A MASSIVE march by women against child abuse, under the banner of Isililo - Zulu for "a mother's cry" - has been set for Human Rights day on 21 March in Soweto.
Isililo founding members including top female jazz maestros, Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Jennifer Ferguson and Vicky Sampson announced plans for the march at Johannesburg's Market Theatre Laboratory on Tuesday, 11 March where they were addressing a briefing on rampant child abuse in South Africa.
Isililo was founded as a result of the "need to cry out against the horrific trend that has developed within our nation, the brutal and sexual abuse of our children, and as a direct response to the brutal rape of six-year old "Lerato" from Alexandra in 2002".
The protest will see women going on a five-kilometre march from Regina Mundi Church to the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
"We will gather and hold a prayer service then begin marching, coming together as women and mothers, hand in hand, speaking with one voice, bringing public awareness to the plight of our nation'schildren, and their lost innocence," said Sibongile Khumalo.
She added that Isililo tries to create an opportunity encouraging all women to regroup and move forward to reclaim their children's lost innocence. "Isililo seeks direction on how to mentor our daughters and sons, working together with one mission."
Khumalo said under the banner of Isililo, mothers are encouraged to use their voices to address the crisis plaguing the country. According to its founders, the idea is to "mentor our daughters and nurture our sons" to allow them to become caring, responsible, and emotionally healthy individuals. The mother's cry, added Khumalo, is supposed to bring about change, which should "Begin from the inside - the inside of our hearts, our souls, our families and our communities".
The march has been described as a creative response to the unspeakable brutality that has gripped the country. And besides expressing concern and saying "no more", it is further meant to remind women that they play pivotal roles in providing moral fibres that hold families and communities together.
The night before the Isililo march, a Mother's Pride Concert will be held at the Market Theatre Laboratory to celebrate children's youth on the evening of 20 March - "Celebrating the Hope of our Nation".
