CAPE TOWN – A memorial plaque honouring the memory of Uyinene Mrwetyana has been unveiled at the Clareinch Post Office in Claremont, Cape Town, renewing the call to end gender-based violence and transforming the site into a permanent symbol of collective responsibility.
The memorial forms part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign but is designed to create year-round awareness.
Uyinene was a University of Cape Town student who was raped and murdered in Claremont in August 2019. She was last seen alive at the Clareinch Post Office. While her murderer is is serving three life sentences after confessing to the crime, Uyinene’s death has ignited a movement in gender-based violence awareness.
The installation at the Clareinch Post Office includes the memorial plaque, a memory bench and a community remembrance book. Residents have started adding personal messages of commitment, turning the space into an area of reflection and healing.
Keeping awareness alive
The project is a partnership between the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation and 1000Women1Voice. Both organisations say the Uyinene Mrwetyana memorial plaque reflects ongoing efforts to build safer spaces for women and children.
The foundation said reclaiming this space she was last seen through the memorial plaque honours her life and reinforces long-term advocacy against violence.
The remembrance book has already become a shared space for the community to reflect on gender-based violence. The foundation said it hopes the book and the Uyinene Mrwetyana memorial plaque will encourage sustained engagement beyond the 16-day campaign.
Residents are encouraged to visit the site, sign the book and participate in upcoming awareness programmes.
