TRUST nobody, fear everyone!
These were the words of Nokuphiwa Madondo (21) painting a bleak picture of women’s safety in Mzansi.
Nokuphiwa, who lives in Jabulani Hostel in Soweto, told Daily Sun the world has become cruel towards women, making it impossible to trust anyone.
She said they are forced to look over their shoulders every time they walk down the street and sometimes going to a nearby tuck shop is a mission as you never know what might happen in the five minutes you step out of your house.
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“We live in a cruel world because the people we trust end up being the ones who turn their backs on you. This is a dangerous world we live in as women. I trust nobody and make sure I go where I need to go and come back straight home,” she said.
The same sentiments were shared by other women at the hostel such as Thembi Mcunu, who risks her life daily to collect bottles around her kasi to recycle.
This is her means of survival, but nowadays even stepping outside her own house to put food on the table sends shivers down her spin as she doesn't know if she will come back in one piece.
She said:
While the thought of being attacked at any moment sends shivers down Thembi’s spine, she said she always relies on nyaope boys to protect her.
In Mzansi, only 3,6% of Mzansi women feel safe in the province they live in.
This is according to a study of over 6 500 women by 1st For Women insurance, who conducted a survey of 6 596 women who revealed their safety concerns.
1st For Women embarked on a campaign to uncover which province is the safest to live in after its nationwide survey of women uncovered that a shocking 76% feel unsafe, while 30% are considering emigration due to safety concerns.
According to the study, Western Cape is ranked the least safe, followed by Gauteng and Eastern Cape, while Limpopo is considered the safest province to live in followed by Mpumalanga and North West.
Some women attributed these things as reasons for feeling unsafe:
1. Walking alone at night (98%)
2. Driving alone (77%)
3. Going out with friends (63%)
4. Walking alone during the day (66%)
5. Being alone at home (54%)
6. Victim to a crime including including a house robbery or break-in (32%), cellphone theft (24%), handbag theft (13%), smash and grab (8%)
7. Gender-based violence (6%)
8. Hijacking (5%)
Head of 1st For Women Insurance, Seugnette van Wyngaard offers women 10 tips for staying safe no matter which province they live in:
1. Stay informed: Keep abreast of local news and crime updates
2. Buddy system: Arrange to travel with a friend or colleague if you believe an area or journey is unsafe
3. Avoid risky areas: Be mindful of your route and avoid poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, especially at night
4. Self-defense classes to protect yourself if needed
5. Leverage safety apps like the Guardian Angel App, which is designed to send alerts and your location to chosen contacts in case of an emergency
6. Home security, car safety and insurance for protection
9. Trust your instincts
10.Emergency numbers so you know who to call in a crisis.
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