In light of my recent rediscovery of the wonders of cycling from doing a city cycle tour of Cape Town, I agreed to cycle through the streets of Cape Town under a full moon to raise money for the Rock Girl Safe Spaces initiative.
It was a beautiful, calm and starry night when 40 people and 40 bicycles gathered outside the Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street. Even though it was the beginning of winter, the weather was being kind and the mood was exuberant. Under the guidance and leadership of group-appointed Captain Colin, we glided through the city to the Green Point Stadium and back, under the watchful eye of the full moon and the streetlights. It was almost surreal and after initially wondering how I was going to manage the 10km cycle, I was sad it was over so quick!
Back at the Grand Daddy, BOS Iced Tea and snacks were served whilst the Nomadic Orchestra played some catchy tunes in the background. Once tummies were filled and thirsts quenched, the auction took place with everyone bidding on a two-night stay at the Grand Daddy Hotel and Old Mac Daddy. We learnt more about Rock Girl and the inspiring work they are doing in the community and I signed myself up to mosaic a bench.
Everyone enjoyed the cycle ride, from young girls to glamorous women, from mothers to teenage boys. Most people weren’t avid cyclists or professional sportsmen. Just ordinary people like me wanting to do something a little different and raise money for a good cause. Which we did – from the R50 entrance fee and the auction, we raised R6 200 that night for Rock Girl. Proving that 40 ordinary people can make a difference and have fun whilst doing it.
They will be holding another moonlit ride in the future. The ride is open to the public and accommodates cyclists of all ages and capabilities. If I can do it, so can you. If you don’t have a bike, you can hire one from AWOL Tours. Hope to see you there next time. Imagine what 50 people could do!
About Rock Girl
“Imagine a girl who feels safe to go to school. A girl who is safe at home. A girl who will finish school. A girl who will find a job. A girl who will make a difference in her community.”
Founded by human rights lawyer India Baird and Karina Turok, Rock Girl is a movement created to inspire girls to be agents of change by taking back their space and forming pockets of safety within their own communities in Cape Town and across South Africa – while raising awareness about violence and how to deal with it.
Their first campaign, the Safe Spaces Initiative, is a grassroots public art and education drive to raise awareness about the need to create safe places for girls and women in schools, at work and in communities. This initiative seeks to reduce the incidence of violence in characteristically unsafe areas by creating “safe spaces”.
With the help of various artists and designers, women and girls in the community co-create unique benches which are then strategically placed in hand-picked, underprivileged areas and serve to represent a place of refuge for anyone in need. For each safe space created with its Rock Girl bench, a “sister” bench is placed in a prominent position within the city. Not only are these identical sister benches a work of art, they also create awareness of the help that is available within such communities.
For more information on Rock Girl and how you can make a difference in the lives of South African women and create safe spaces for them to live in, contact Michelle India Baird on 082-734-4569, email [email protected], www.rockgirlsa.org.
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