WORDS Claire Jowell
Today South Africa honours the memory of 17 year-old Anene Booysen, and we offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends. Rock Girl, a design-led Cape Town activist group, have announced that they will be installing one of their iconic Safe Space benches in Bredasdorp in her memory.
“This bench, like the other Rock Girl Safe Space benches, aims to encourage all South Africans to speak out to ensure this type of violent attack does not happen ever again. It sends a message to Anene’s family and to the world, that Anene, like every victim of sexual violence, must never be forgotten”, said India Baird, founder of Rock Girl. “While the benches are symbolic, women and girls’ right to be safe from such attacks and sexual assault while at school, work, on the streets, or even in their own homes is real and should never be denied.”
We couldn’t agree more! India and these guys have already earned our massive respect with their beautiful (and functional) creations. Their Safe Spaces campaign aims to create real areas of safety in some of the city’s most challenged communities; and they work with designers and local communities to erect striking benches to symbolise this drive for a secure environment for women and children.
Rock Girl benches can be found on Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, St Georges Mall, Company Gardens, Grassroot Soccer in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Manenberg, Woodstock, V&A Waterfront Clock Tower, Fan Walk, St Andrews Square, Cape Town Train Station and Cape Town International Convention Centre .
We wish Rock Girl the best of luck, and we’ll keep an eye out for their gorgeous benches. To get involved, contact India Baird on indiaviva@earthlink.net or visit their site.