ROCK GIRL BENCH

#SMED11

I recently had the opportunity to engage with stakeholders with regard to the feasibility of placing a bench at the Cape Town Station Forecourt. Assuming discussions centered around an ordinary bench, I found the idea very interesting and thought it would be a welcome addition to the recently refurbished Cape Town Station.

I also liked the idea of the bench being a talking point for learners whilst on the walking guided tour of Cape Town Station. I must admit that my assumptions with regard to the look and feel of the bench was however way off the mark. We are not talking about an ordinary bench - a pleasant surprise awaited me when I received a photo an article which introduced me to the Rock Girl Benches.

“Rock Girl, an organization founded by a group of concerned women who seek to focus the spotlight on the challenges facing girls and women in South Africa, has launched its first campaign – the Safe Spaces Initiative. The campaign is aimed at focusing on increasing the environments where South African girls and women can feel safe – by planting benches in Cape Town that offer a real and symbolic feeling of safety and a freedom from anxiety.”(City Views, April 2011)

The idea of the benches originated at a primary school in Mannenberg when girls mentioned their vulnerability in some public places. In addition to having a beautiful artistic look and feel, the educational messages etched on the bench provides and excellent opportunity for educational awareness and discussions:
- Speak out what you see
- Creating safe spaces
- Reaching out for each other

It is anticipated that the Rock Girl bench, which is sponsored by Cape Town Partnership, will be unveiled at Cape Town Station during the first week of December – to coincide with the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign. This campaign focuses on violence against women and children and is annually celebrated in South Africa between 25 November and 10 December.

I am looking forward to the unveiling of this new artistic educational facility which will also be included in the

walking guided tours of Cape Town Station. Many learner discussions and photo opportunities await in the near future – cannot wait for 2012 for learner photos to be posted in future blogs!