ON Saturday, November 9, 011 Entertainment will host a fund-raiser in aid of the Groom A Girl initiative.
The event, which will be hosted by local media personality and MC, Gershwin “Giggsy” Williams, will aim at raising awareness on the plight endured by women – in particular, violence and femicide; while also providing a platform for patrons to enjoy themselves while contributing not only to a charitable cause, but also to spread awareness on the topic.
With the current climate of activism against the prevailing reality of gender-based violence in the country, event organiser, Miquin Booysen, felt that the event entitled “Giggsy for the Babas”, would go a long way to reawaken the public to the fact that gender-based violence is still prevalent.
“Gershwin and I always spoke about finding a way to give back to the community. While I’m quiet and more reserved, he is more outspoken.
“After discussing it for a while, we decided to put the event together, and wanted it to benefit a worthy cause like Groom A Girl,” said Booysen.
Groom A Girl, which was established in 2016, is a local non-profit organisation founded by Nakita de Souza, and is operated out of her home in West End with the assistance of five other girls who plan workshops and oversee funding and donations.
Alongside providing 20 to 25 young girls with toiletry hampers every month, Groom A Girl also hosts monthly workshops on a Saturday to empower girls through self-esteem classes, the teaching of basic computer skills and arts and crafts classes; seeking to broaden their scope of reference further than their immediate reality, provide basic skills and mentoring to increase chances for employment and restore their feminine self-worth.
Having been at the forefront of the September 14 march against gender-based violence as an organiser, Williams also maintained that the energy around activism against violence against women should not subside; and so, alongside Booysen, saw the opportunity to spur on continued awareness through Giggsy for the Babas.
According to de Souza, prospective funding from the event on November 9 would likely set them up financially for 2020.
“The funding we receive from the event will do so much to help us see to the basic needs of the girls, and will also enable us to buy uniforms and stationery for some of the girls we take care of,” enthused De Souza.
The event will be held at the Boardwalk’s VIP Lounge, with doors opening at 20:00.
Tickets cost R50, with ladies granted free entry throughout the night. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Groom A Girl in aid of their many charitable operations.
