#AmINext?
To raise awareness for the cases of child and women centered violence that has been more prevalent as of late in Cape Town especially, a lot of protests have happened all over Cape Town as of late. Uyinene Mrwetyana, a student in her first year at UCT, was assaulted and killed inside Clareinch Post Office, Claremont.
There have been several silent protests to show solidarity and mourn for all the lives that have been 
lost, as well as larger protests in town, to try and grab the attention of politicians and march together in unity and remembrance. As a school, ISCT we wanted to show our support and belief in fighting for equality and against violence, but were unable to transport students to the protest in town on September 5th due to safety concerns. The idea was raised for ISCT to host its own silent protest earlier that same day, an idea initiated by some of the Year 8 students.
Pupils made placards and posters with large and 
powerful messages that we would hold while standing on the bridge over the motorway next to ISCT, with some of the younger students standing along the side of the road. All the students who wanted to show solidarity and attend the protest dressed in black and at first break we headed up to the bridge. Scholars lined up along the bridge, holding our posters up so that the cars below could see them.
The response was absolutely phenomenal. From their cars, people we
re cheering and raising their fists in agreement, honking their horns and taking pictures. The reason we were gathered, the fact that we as a society have to protest and petition for basic equality and human rights is currently a terrifying reality – but seeing how even though there is so much hate and cruelty in the world, there is also so much love and support. It was very moving to see people agree so passionately and fight so fervently for equality.
We returned at second break and the support was equally as pleasantly astounding, even if there were less cars were on the road. There were still even more people out there who felt as passionately as we did about standing up for what we know to be true and against what we know is despicable.
We, as students, as the future generation, stood on that bridge and declared without speaking or aggression how change must be brought about. We, as the youth, refuse to accept that this is the world we must grow up in, the world we must raise our children in, a world of crime and assault and murder. Something has to be done. And, sure, on protest on a bridge above motorway isn’t going to change everybody’s minds or opinions. But if everybody stood with their head held proudly and declared their own dedication towards fighting for love and equality and against needless and tragic violence? If everyone raised their voice and joined the cry, imagine how far our voices could carry.
As a pupil of ISCT, I felt so proud looking around on that bridge and seeing students and teachers, girls and boys, people of all races and backgrounds coming together to advocate and show respect for anyone who has fallen victim to assault. However small, we made a difference, and though we may not have necessarily changed any minds, by fearlessly showing support we are encouraging other people to do the same; if we all make a little difference, we can surely change the world.
Words: Rachel
Images: Gaby, Jake
So proud of you young people. Not only because a petition to be allowed to protest was initiated by our 13-14 year-old Year 8 pupils but that it was immediately adopted and backed by the pupils, teachers and management of the school. This is how change comes about. It’s not just the cars that are passing under the bridge who hoot and show support – it’s a powerful education to the actual children involved, at such a young age, both male and female, whose participation will educate and change their view on skewed societal norms, eventually making femicide unacceptable. From the mother of a teenage son, his participation and our discussions on the topic will forever guide the way he treats women in future. All the children across South Africa from different schools who also carried out protests add to this growing movement and will be educated on how women should be treated but how young women themselves should expect to be treated. Very powerful.