.

Thank you TTV Fluval!

2012-01-15T02:04:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Frank Ohlsen and his TTV Fluval Group of companies who has donated R60000 towards Matla A Bana again this year!

Ground Patrol visits MAB WC

2011-12-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

The KFM Ground Patrol paid a visit to MAB WC office today playing early Father Christmas. The team delivered boxes full of gifts for abused children. Although we were very happy to see the team, we realised that these gifts were going to be given to children who will be abused during a time when other people will celebrate. Thnx KFM and Ground Patrol for your support!

AGM 2011

2011-12-08T21:54:00.000-08:00

The MAB AGM 2011 was hosted on 6 Dec 2011 in Gauteng. There was a lot of tears and great joy when many of our sponsors received their Certificates of Recognition. After a drop of more than 200% of donor funding, we have still managed to achieve many great successes! We would like to thank all our adoptive churches, sponsors and volunteers for your support. Also a special word of thanks to Rooi Rose editor, Martie Pansegrouw, for many wise words! See you all again next year!

16 Days of no Violence Against Women and Children

2011-12-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

MAB is running 16 seven minute programs on the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children on Radio Tygerberg. This is the largest community station with more than 500 000 listeners. Monique has done interviews with the police, the NPA, charities working in the field and the listeners will be informed on what to do when in an abuse relationship, where to go for help, where to report child abuse and much more. Thank you to Radio Tygerberg for sponsoring this airtime worth more than R100000.

Thank you Rays of Hope!

2011-12-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Thank you Rays of Hope (Rosebank Union Church) for the donation of R 50 000 towards our Adoption Project. This was raced by a small group of people who either cycled, organised or supported the annual Race of Hope. It was a pleasure partnering with such a great group of people!

Race of Hope sets off

2011-10-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

The annual Race of Hope, organised by Rosebank Union Church, of which MAB is one of the beneficiaries has started yesterday. This year idols winner, Elvis Blue, will be cycling (and singing) for charity! MAB will be represented by Paul Van Eeden (husband of project manager, Lizel) and his team of SAPS officers). Good luck guys and enjoy the trip!

Parow Court Update

2011-10-05T22:21:00.000-07:00

It has been two months since MAB undertook to assist creating a Child-Friendly Environment at Parow Court. This is a massive task, because the facility has several rooms, waiting areas and a kitchen that needs refurbishment.

We would like to thank the Tygerburger Newspaper for running several stories in this regards. We would also like to thank all the people who phoned, offered help and services and made donations.

Thank you especially to Harvey World Travel Manor for the R10 000 donation received from you.www.travelmanor.co.za

We will keep you posted on the updates - for now we are still waiting for confirmation of a paint donation!

Thanx to Ronel De Jager and her team at the court for the fantastic work you are doing.

Pretoria Central gets a face lift!

2011-10-05T22:16:00.000-07:00

Church Without Walls is making the Light shine very brightly in Pretoria Central where they recently upgraded the waiting area of the FCS unit. This area is used by the child and adult victims of rape and abuse.

All the walls were repainted and the old carpets were replaced with beautiful wooden flooring. Apart from this many extras like a TV and DVD machine etc were added.

We would like to thank Church Without Walls and all the volunteers for creating this beautiful environment that will hopefully help minimise the pain and trauma

Beeld story 22 Aug

2011-09-07T06:20:00.001-07:00

Milnerton Opening makes the paper

2011-09-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

The sign at the door reads, “Children Welcome”. Behind this door is a comfortable room that is brightly decorated and child-friendly. But it’s a room children should never have to visit. It is a state-of-the-art, reporting facility at the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) at Milnerton police station that was created by the nonprofit organisation, Matla a Bana, to minimise the secondary abuse child victims suffer when reporting crime. The facility has an inviting waiting room, an assessment room with a bed, play area and toys that is linked to a monitoring room by a two-way mirror. It is also equipped with audiovisual recording apparatus.

It’s the fourth of its kind in the Western Cape with a fifth earmarked for Khayelitsha soon. Depending on available facilities at a police station, a room like this could cost between R60 000 and R150 000 to set up. Milnerton is one of 25 FCS units in the Western Cape and the aim is to eventually equip them all with rooms like these, but more sponsorship is needed. Claremont Rotary is their main sponsor, while Shellard Media sponsors the audiovisual equipment. Monique Strydom, founded Matla a Bana in 2002 to “create a voice against child abuse”. It is managed by the Callie and Monique Strydom Charity Trust, which was founded soon after she and her husband, Callie, survived a four month hostage ordeal at the hands of Abu Sayyaf rebels in Jolo, Philippines for four months in 2000.

She said August 27 marked 11 years of freedom for her, and recalled the impact the gang rape of two fellow female hostages had on them despite the rebels’ promise that they would never kill or rape the women, but rather use them as “instruments”. She equated the fear they were left with to the fear children face when abused by adults who were meant to protect them. Despite the challenges in prevention, she applauded the police for the work they did in combating child abuse crimes. She encouraged people to report these crimes and said they needed to establish more “faith and trust in children coming to SAPS.”

“We can work together as a community. This facility is purely for victims. Police investigate and make arrests. They are not here to look after the victim. That’s why we are here to do this. This facility will help get disclosure.” Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Arno Lamoer said crime reports were never easy to digest. Referring to a horrific case of violence in a home he said, “Thirty years and it still shocks me.” He called for communities to mobilise and take care of children with the same vigour with which they mobilised themselves against apartheid. He said all parents wanted freedom for their children, but that one of the biggest prisons could be the home where children grew up. He encouraged sponsors to come forward to invest in projects of this nature. “We can spend millions on wars but unless we invest in our children we will never survive. All great men were children once. We must give them an opportunity.”

Matla a Bana runs numerous soft skills training programmes for the police. They also train doctors to do expert forensic medical examinations and train and equip forensic social workers. Visit www.matlaabana.co.za or call 021 913 9107 to find out more about their projects and if you want to offer sponsorships. Keep kids out of this room.

Pam Fourie (Tabletalk Newspaper)

Gauteng doctors trained

2011-08-05T03:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the group of doctors and FCS members who completed the Forensic Medical Examination and Expert Witnessing Course hosted by MAB in Gauteng in June. Thank you also to Dr Tromp Els, the NPA and Old Mutual Foundation for making this training possible.

Romans Pizzas Does It Again!

2011-08-05T01:49:00.001-07:00

There is not stop to our favourite pizza people! Not only did the staff at Roman's Pizzas pack another 200 comfort packs during the last two months, they also phoned us with great news - a donation of more R 50 000 towards the Matla A Bana Projects!

Thanx Bonnie and all our Roman's shop owners for your continued support!

2011-08-05T01:35:00.000-07:00

Making an early start on their Mandela Day community service project, RamsayMedia’s Johannesburg and Cape Town staff downed tools on Friday, 15 July to assemble 200 comfort packs for young rape victims. The brightly coloured packs were handed over at the end of the day to representatives of the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units and Matla a Bana.

RamsayMedia has adopted Matla a Bana as its annual Mandela Day initiative by packing and donating these packs for child-abuse victims. Last year RamsayMedia donated 150 packs and the team was challenged to aid more children this time around. Financial contributions came from the staff, the company and the Norton Ramsay Foundation (a trust established by the previous chairman), while Ackermans, Easywear and Hospitality Suite were quick to provide facecloths, soap and underwear to the worthy cause.

Staff enthusiastically made their way down the assembly line, filling the bags before writing a personal message on each one. These were handed over at the end of the day, ready for distribution on Mandela’s birthday.

Thank you to Sandy and the RamsayMedia staff for this great support!

WC Doctors to receive training this weekend

2011-07-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend more than 25 doctors and SAPS FCS members will receive training in expert witnessing in court and forensic medical examination. This will be hosted by Matla A Bana in Cape Town.

Rotary Claremont will support again

2011-06-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

We have just received fab news from Rotary Claremont! This group will once again support several MAB WC projects, including the implementation of a Child-Friendly Reporting Facility at Milnerton FCS! Thanx Rotary Claremont for your continued support!

John talks to Matla A Bana

2011-06-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Thanx to John Maytham for doing a fab interview with Monique very early one morning. John also paid a visit to the Kraaifontein Unit where he met the members and helped with the packing of some comfort packs! Thanx also to Cape Talk for your continued support of our project!

Spinning for Matla A Bana

2011-06-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Police in the Honeydew precinct commemorated Child Protection Week by participating in a spin-a-thon to raise funds for charity.

About 380 police members participated in the five-hour event on a rotation basis where they also raised funds for the Matla-a-Bana charity project.

Honeydew police spokesman, Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs said, "The spin-a-thon was incorporated as part of our social responsibility in conjunction with the Fitness and Wellness programme initiated by General Bheki Cele.

"The main aim was to ensure our members' fitness while contributing towards making a difference to child protection. We collected boxes of donations which we handed to the charity."

Cluster commander, Major General Oswald Reddy thanked participating members and encouraged them to treat child victims with empathy and support. A minute of silence was observed in memory of children who have been or are victims of abuse.

-Ayanda Buthelezi

Join us for Child Protection Week

2011-05-20T03:40:00.000-07:00

Matla A Bana, Friends of Child Protection and Connect Network is calling all churches, schools, companies and South Africans to join our Christian response to Child Abuse during Child Protection Week.

Child Protection Week will be celebrated from 23 – 29 May 2011 and on 5 June it is the World Wide Day of Prayer for Children at Risk.

We appeal to you to join this Christian response by:
· Hosting a Service of Hope and Blessing.
· Dedicating a part of your service, assembly time or daily staff meeting to the Green Ribbon Candle Ceremony.
· Wearing a green ribbon.

For more information on how you can take part go to http://www.matlaabana.co.za/

CAPE EPIC SPONSORS

2011-04-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

Thank you to the following companies for supporting Francois and Dirkie by donating funds to MAB!

Anti Corruption Conference

2011-04-11T10:40:00.001-07:00

THANK YOU ROMAN'S PIZZA

2011-04-11T10:37:00.001-07:00

Thank you to Bonnie and the Roman's Pizza group for donating yet another 100 Comfort Packs in Gauteng and offering to do many more during April!

MAB in the Cape Epic

2011-03-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

MAB Cape Epic Supporter - Enge Coetzer!

This year Matla A Bana will be presented at the Cape Epic by Team SENEKAL ALLEN. We would like to wish Francios Coetzer and Dirkie van der Merwe all of the best with this great challenge. And also thank them for profiling the abuse against our children. We are behind you 100%! May you have a great cycle!

Training - medical doctors

2011-03-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

On 3 & 4 February Matla a Bana in Gauteng was buzzing! It was finally time to train the doctors in the province on how to do a medical examination on child-abuse and rape victims. Cariena Coetzee of the NPA and Dr Tromp Els Forensic Specialist were the presenters of a two day training on FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND EXPERT WITNESSING! 27 Delegates attended this unique training! 8 FCS commanders, 1 Journalist, 1 Social Worker, 4 Forensic Nurses and 13 Doctors! The feedback was EXCELLENT and enquiries have been made for the next training of this standard!! Matla a Bana would like to thank Old Mutual Foundation, Roodepoort Townlodge and Mosaiek Church for your loyal support. Together we can make a huge difference in the prevention of secondary abuse and ensuring much better conviction rates by educating our Doctors and other professionals!

National Adoption

2011-03-02T05:16:00.000-08:00

Intercape Bus Service has will be adopting various FCS on a national level. The staff of this company will personally become involved with this adoption. This adoption will result on a national reach and we looking forward to this working relationship.

Khayelitsha FCS Unit to receive support

2011-03-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

A home cell group from Vredelust Congregation will be supporting this unit by supplying comfort packs to the child abuse victims. Welcome to all our new volunteers!

Kraaifontein FCS Adopted

2011-03-02T05:10:00.001-08:00

We are very happy to announce that the Durbanville Congregation has adopted the Kraaifontein FCS. The group paid a visit to the unit and the members received a very special message from well-known pastor, Gary Kieswietter. The group was joined by Old Mutual sponsor, Renee Palmer. The church is planning not only to provide spiritual support to the members, but also to assist with comfort packs!

2011-01-12T01:02:00.000-08:00

MAB launched 16 Days of Activism with an Police day at Kenmare Laerskool after a request to educate the learners on the importance of the various policing departments and also as a Career! A thousand learners witnessed the police in action! We Salute the police members Fighting crime on a daily basis Serving and Protecting the community and our children.

Thanx to Col Botha of the East Rand Airwing, Lt;Col Caroto Dog Unit West Rand and Capt Hattingh of the East Rand Mounted Unit!

Thank you once again!

2010-12-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Frank Olsen and his team for making a further donation of R 33 000 to MAB!

A Special party for special children!

2010-12-13T00:42:00.000-08:00

A well-known Cape Town company, 3D X-act chose to host a year end function with a difference. They hosted a special Christmas event for 28 rape and abuse victims. The children, all between the ages 6 – 12 and all from Mitchells Plain were treated to a wonderful Christmas party, complete with sweets, gifts and Father Christmas.

MAB would like to thank 3D X-act, Bugz Playpark, Die Bamboo Restaurant, 027 Shuttle and Everson Konstruksie for creating such special memories for our children.

Roman's Pizzas Comfort Packs

2010-12-10T00:43:00.000-08:00

During late afternoon on 4 December, Matla a Bana, with the assistance of Blue Planet and Roman's Pizza group packed 50 Small comfort packs for girls ages 3-8. Staff volunteers worked with great passion and the packs were done in minutes! These packs were collected by Pta Central, Bronkhorstspruit and Garankuwa FCS units. Bonnie and her team was overwhelmed by the thought of packing these packs for young ages and assured MAB they will sponsor more packs in future! The packing team enjoyed Pizza for supper.. Thanx Roman's Pizza!!

Shout comfort packs

2010-12-10T00:10:00.000-08:00

On Friday, 26 November, Matla a Bana together with the 94.7 Breakfast Express Team, as a Lead SA innitiativ rised very early to pack 100 Medium Comfort Packs for girls ages 9-12. Very gratefull officers from FCS Units in Gauteng (Vereeniging, Silverton, Sunnyside, Katlehong, Moroka, Benoni, Honeydew. Owitz marketing team also assited MAB with the packing as proud supporters of our project!

Thank you to Shout for making this possible!

Kraaifontein Child Facility opens

2010-12-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

In celebration of 16 Days of No violence against women and children, MAB today opened the Child-Friendly Reporting Facility at the Kraaifontein FCS unit stationed at Kraaifontein Police Station. This facility now has a beautiful outside play area, waiting area and an assessement room linked to a monitoring room. The state-of-the-art audio visual equipement sponsored by Shellard Media now makes recording the interviews possible. During the opening Brigadier Sharon Jeptha said that SAPS need more partners like Matla A Bana.

We would like to thank all the sponsors who made this facility possible:

Old Mutual Foundation, Rotary Claremont, Shellard Media, F & L Konstruksie, Geustyn & Horak Aluminium, Gerhardt Jooste & Francious Coetzer

Photo: Piet Smit (SAPS Media Office)

MAB AGM

2010-12-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

On Tues, 7 Dec, Matla A Bana hosted it's Annual AGM at Afrique Boutique Hotel in Roodepoort. The event was attended by sponsors, media and officials. Guest speaker, Provincial Commissioner General Petros, said that it "It takes special people to do the type of work Matla a Bana is doing - people with a heart who are willing to get involved in civil society.”

Teunis Binnemeer (Absa Trust) presented the financial statements and founder, Monique Strydom, said that none of the work could have been done without the support of funders and volunteers alike. More than R 2 million in products and services have been donated to the NGO during the last two years.

Despite facing serious financial trouble and having to resort to retrenchments, MAB reached more than 5000 children last year who reported crimes against them. In addition to this the NGO trained more than 200 police officials and more than 40 doctors in specialised courses. Certificates were handed over representatives of companies who donated more than R 50 000 to Matla A Bana.

Photo: Kotie Geldenhuys Servamus

2010-11-15T06:18:00.000-08:00

Thank you Fluval Ukuvala and Fluval Ukuvala Western Cape for your donation of R 30 000 towards Matla A Bana!

WC Training & Debriefing

2010-11-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

On 9 November MAB WC hosted a training/debriefing session for 40 FCS members. The program included a motivational speach by Radio Tygerberg presenter, Johnny Louw (also known as Die Wilde Stem), training session by Jelly Beanz on the new Children's act and an afternoon of debriefing.

We would like to thank Johnny Louw, MSP Group, Jelly Beanz and Romans Pizza for your sponsorship.

Tour of Hope

2010-11-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

At the end of October a group of cyclists went a very long cycle trip to raise funds for Rays of Hope (Rosebank Union Church) and Matla A Bana. We would like to thank them for the hard word (and cycling) and we would also like to thank Jennifer and her team at Rosebank Union Church for offering MAB the opportunity to be part of this.

Thank you Paul Van Eeden for organising the police escort (and being part of it!).

A big thank you to all the MAB sponsors (Carlsworld Spar & Romans Pizza) who so kindly donated products and funding, and to all the MAB supportors who made a contribution towards this project.

Keep watching this space for some more news about this project!

Abandoned baby Training - Gauteng

2010-11-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

On 9 & 10 November MAB hosted the last Abandoned babby training for 2010. The Vaalrand police stations were nominated and the training was hosted at Bosasa Training facilities. To Suzanne of Big Shoes and her team of experts facilitating we would also like to express our sincere gratitude!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Lead SA helps with Comfort Packs

2010-10-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

By Lauren Manuel

On 1 October 94.5 KFM and 567 Cape Talk Breakfast Teams took time out to put comfort packs together for child abuse victims housed by Matla a bana. Matla A Bana is a charity project mobilising a Christian response to address the high incidence of child abuse and rape by implementing appropriate reporting, support and intervention programs. It was initiated and managed by the Callie and Monique Strydom Charity Trust which was founded upon the return of Callie and Monique Strydom after a 4-month hostage ordeal in Southeast Asia. At the end of 2002 Monique Strydom was asked to chair a task team that investigated child rape in South Africa. A need for an organization which could address all the grey areas in the child protection system in South Africa arose and the Strydom Trust undertook to address this need. Matla a Bana is a National organization, with predominant focus in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Children that have been abused are often very fearful and experience secondary trauma when needing to talk about the experience to police, Matla A Bana tries to reduce that stress by making the child as comfortable as possible. One of the things they do is provide comfort packs with items necessary to take care of the child after the abuse when they report crimes and both breakfast teams helped put together 100 of these packs. Packs contain underwear, soap and wash cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, colouring books & pencils, a teddy bear, a snack and soft drink. Around 1000 comfort packs need to be prepared each month for abused children in the Western Cape mostly between ages of 6 and 12 years old. Monique Strydom stated that the “comfort packs provided more than just goods, but also helped develop a trust relationship between the victim and police officer which also made disclosure easier.”
As the comfort packs were handed over to the SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Tia Van de Westhuizen of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit expressed huge thanks to Shout and Lead SA for allowing more comfort packs to be distributed. She said “It does not matter how hurt a child is, when you tell them that the pack is for them… You have no idea what a difference it makes to them. Even after many years of doing this, I still have to walk away sometimes”.
Some of their other projects include mobilizing faith based groups, creating child-friendly reporting facilities at police stations, training police officers in “soft skills” to equip them to work with children, training doctors in expert forensic medical examinations which leads to more convictions, offering policeman and citizens rewards for going the extra mile to protect South Africa’s children. They also run unique projects to assist churches and schools to write their own child protection protocols.
You can Lead SA by reporting crimes committed against our children by calling 10111, adopting a FCS unit or court in your area, making donations (Matla a Bana’s Website below) and supporting their fundraising projects.

KRAAIFONTEIN

2010-10-11T10:40:00.003-07:00

We are urgently looking for a container to store some goods. If we have this we can implement a Child Friendly Facility at Kraaifontein SAPS. Can anyone help?

Abondoned Baby Training

2010-10-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

On 14 & 15 September, MAB trained 32 SAPS memebers of the Far East rand on how to deal with an Abandoned baby on a Crime Scene.

Thank you to our sponsor:
Word & Life Church in Sunward park

Artists help police

2010-09-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Krugersdorp FCS decided to use the Casual Day Celebrations to uplift the their morale and spirit and to create some visibility by doing a 8km walk through the town. MAB agreed to assist by mobilising volunteers to assist with their float. Margie Kaufmann and her team of "art ladies" took on the challenge and changed it into a work of art!

2010-09-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

MAB, together with Big Shoes and Gauteng SAPS Province, has been hosting training for SAPS Client Service Centres on Managing Abandoned Babies. On 17 and 18 August such a training was hosted for the West Rand area. 38 SAPS members and 5 volunteers received their certificates.

We would like to thank our sponsors:

Mosaiek Congregation

Key West Spur

Ana- Paula's Coffee shop

Micheal van den Berg

One person changing lives

2010-09-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

At MAB we have gotten to know many amazing people, who touches the lives through their passion. Sune is such a person. She started the "Verskilmakers" group and by hosting informal mornings at her house, she has mobilised her friends to donated and help charities. In April she donated over R1200 to MAB. In August her group donated 45 comfort packs for small girls who have been raped.

Just a wonderful example of how one person can change many lives!

Thanx Sune and your group!

MAB Incentive Awards - Gauteng

2010-09-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

Matla a Bana, a Gauteng and Western Cape focused charity organisation hosted its bi-annual Incentive Awards, for the Gauteng Province on 26 August 2010 in Hurlingham at the Rosebank Union Church. The event celebrates South African Police Service (SAPS) members who have excelled beyond the call of duty.

The following individuals were acknowledged and honoured at the ceremony:
Constable Nalana of the Hillbrow Family Violence, Child protection and Sexual Offences Unit (linking a suspect by fingerprints en modus operandi)
Warrant Officer Gonkgang of the Tembisa Family Violence, Child Protection protection and Sexual Offences Unit
Constable Babile of the Alexandra Family Violence, Child protection and Sexual Offences Unit Warrant Officer Maedi of Katlehong (13 times Life imprisonment- 49 counts of rape for a serial rapist with several victims)
Constable Motsa of Ga-Rankuwa (Linking two missing children cases – decomposed bodies found, body parts used by Sangoma for muti..)
Captain Mathethwa of Katlehong( Best FCS Commander)
Colonel Maupa of Daveyton (Best Station Commander)
Colonel Anneke Pienaar (Service Excellence)
Vodacom Foundation National Coordinator, Melenie Naidoo (Serviec Excellence)
Katlehong FCS was the best unit for working together as a team to put a serial rapist behind bars!

These individuals were awarded with various gifts and were also issued with a certificate as a token of appreciation and an incentive to continue with their much-appreciated work. “With this special award ceremony we honor the Police men and women for what they do behind the scenes and for their invaluable support. We have seen the positive impact our collaboration has had and hope to involve even more likeminded people,” said Monique Strydom, founder of Matla a Bana.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for your continued:

Clearwater Mall, Fourways Mall, Cedar Square, Roodepoort Townlodge, Grayston Townlodge, Katherine str. City Lodge, Hunters Rest, Cajees Time Zone Clearwater Mall, Build a Bear, Servamus, Alice Art Gallery and Rosebank Union Church.

2010-08-31T02:25:00.000-07:00

Last week MAB WC joined this group of dynamic women for their Women's Day celebration. We also received more than 35 comfort packs that will be distributed to SAPS.

Thanx Brenda and Anne Marie for thinking of us! We hope that this will be a long term relationship!

Women's Day Celebrations

2010-08-31T01:49:00.000-07:00

Jennetta Basson(Mosaiek) Lizel(MAB) Louise Rivette (Mosaiek) Anne Malan (MC)

MAB was proud to be part of the Women's Day Celebrations hosted by Mosaiek Church and sponsored by Missional Expressions and the Women's Network (Randburg). A highlight was the attendance of members of Fairlands Police station. This station was adopted by Mosaiek as part of the MAB Adoption Program.

RIP Fiona

2010-08-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Today we mourn the death of one of Matla A Bana's greatest celebrity supporters and dear friend, Fiona Coyne. Thank you Fiona for always supporting us and for being such a good friend. You will be greatly missed here at Matla A Bana...

Xtremeforkids winner!

2010-07-26T23:43:00.000-07:00

Bid for a fab date!

2010-07-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Make sure you get one of these fab dates! Go to www.bidorbuy.co.za and bid on the Matla A Bana Charity Auction (20 - 30 July).

THANK YOU RAMSAYMEDIA

2010-07-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Mandela Day with the staff of Ramsaymedia, who packed and donated 150 comfort packs! There were many tears as staff members realised what these packs were going to be used for, but also joy in knowing that they will be helping an abused child.

Thank you Sandy and the Ramsaymedia staff, as well as all the other sponsors who made this project possible. Thank you as well to our SAPS partners who joined us for the handover event.

2010-07-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

Today MAB became the first NGO to receive a donation from the SHOUT project. We would like to thank the Shout Ambassadors and trustees for helping us to help victims of crime! These funds will be used to make comfort packs for child-abuse victims who report crimes to the police.

You too can help make a contribution, by purchasing the SHOUT CD from any Pick 'n Pay store. For more info : http://www.shoutsa.com/

One man raises R100 000 for MAB!

2010-06-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Jos Malherbe departed on a cycling journey of nearly 12 000 kms from Cairo to Cape Town to raise funds for MAB. His adventure finally reached a highlight today when he handed over the R100000 to Matla A Bana during an event at the Table Bay Hotel.

We would like to thank everyone who have support this project by emailing, donating and pushing Jos on. Thank you to Sesego Cares who gave the last R10 000 for Jos to reach his target two days before the end of his trip.

Thank you also to Shaun and Sarah at the Table Bay Hotel who sponsored today's event, but also donated a fab 2 night stay worth R 12500 to Jos!

But mostly THANK YOU Jos for doing this for the children of South Africa! Like one posting on the blogsite said - "You are our HERO!".

Daveyton Child Friendly Facility Opened

2010-06-03T01:18:00.001-07:00

Waiting area

Assessment room

VIP Guests - Valencia Moleko (Old Mutual), Lizel Van Eeden (MAB), Gen Bester & Gen Taioe (SAPS Gauteng Prov), Col Gumedi (SAPS Daveyton)

This week MAB opened it's 15th Child Friendly Reporting Facility in Gauteng. These facilities are designed to a MAB blueprint and the purpose of these facilities is to minimise the trauma children suffer when they report crimes against them.

This facility is situated in a park home at Daveyton Police Station. This area is a SAPS priority area when it comes to child abuse cases.

We would like to thank SAPS Gauteng Province for supplying the mobile home and Old Mutual for sponsoring the upgrading of this facility.

Gauteng - Child Protection Week Celebrations

2010-06-03T00:58:00.001-07:00

Various projects were hosted by the MAB Gauteng office in celebration of Child Protection Week.
Pat & Yvonne Godwin (Christian Hertigate Church)

Marieta Rademeyer busy with training

Melinda & Annemarie (Randburg Dutch Reformed Church)

1. Breakfast for MAB Training partners

Roodepoort Townlodge sponsored the MAB training partners to a wonderfull breakfast. This was just our way to say thank you to them for always assisting and sponsoring our training.

2. Brunch for MAB Adoptive Churches and SAPS Forensic Social Workers

Fourways Mall sponsored a brunch to treat representatives of the all the churches who have adopted FCS Units in Gauteng. Included in this group was also the SAPS Forensic Social Workers.

3. Compassion Fatigue Workshop

Marita Rademeyer (Jelly Beanz) hosted a training session for MAB on Compassion Fatigue. Sixteen social workers were equipped to better service delivery by dealing with the trauma associated with working with traumatised children.

4. Mosaiek Church Outreach

Members of this congregation paid a visit to the Roodepoort Sexual Offences Court to show their support and appreciation for a job well done by the court officials. They treated them to great snacks and hopefully inspired the members to keep on doing such great work!

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us celebrate Child Protection Week with such great projects!

SERVICE OF HOPE AND BLESSING – DURBANVILLE

2010-06-01T04:04:00.000-07:00

Judy Bothes (Missing Children SA), Monique Strydom (MAB) and Children Against Crime Group

Old and young tying ribbons to create awareness

his year saw the first Service of Hope and Blessing hosted in the Northern Suburbs. This was hosted in celebration of Child Protection Week and Day on 30 May 2010 by the Durbanville Branch of Vredelust Church.
It turned out to be a very special morning started by a performance of the well-known Kuyasa Kids Choir, followed by the Candle Sermon and special prayers. The first candle and prayer in honour of the children of South Africa was lit by Capt Ruselo (Kraaifontein FCS), the second candle for the protectors and officials was lit by Louise Koen and the third candle for the perpetrators was lit by Col Swart (Commander Durbanville SAPS).
The sermon delivered by Gary Kieswetter had all in tears when he shared how he survived an incident of abuse when he was a small child. The morning was ended off with great cupcakes and a party table for the kids (and adults!!!). All members was asked to tie a green ribbon in their area to make people aware of child protection.
Thank you to Vredelust Church for hosting this, to Gary for his special message, for SAPS and the other charities who attended. We hope to be here again next year!

Child Protection Celebrations

2010-06-01T03:55:00.000-07:00

50 FCS detectives attended the Connect workshop on the new Children's Act. Thanx Connect for sponsoring this!

Children Against Crime (Simon Van Der Stel Primary School) hosted a special ceremony to celebrate Child Protection Day. Thank you to Jacques and his kids for creating this awareness.

Cape Town Child-Friendly Reporting facility in the make!

2010-05-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

MAB WC - CHILD PROTECTION WEEK ACTIONS

2010-05-24T01:23:00.000-07:00

This week is Child Protection Week and MAB WC has a full line up planned!

1. Opening of the Cape Town FCS Child-Friendly Reporting Facility.
To take place on Friday, 28 May in Cape Town.

2. Service of Hope and Blessing
Hosted at Durbanville Conference Centre at 9:30 on Sunday, 31 May.

3. Children's Act training
For 50 SAPS FCS members on 27 May - hosted by Connect Network.

4. Trauma training for Parents with abused children.
5 June - hosted by Jelly Beanz and MAB.

Remember to wear your Green Ribbon this week!

Xtremeforkids - Well done Jos!!!

2010-05-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

It took Jos 4 months and nearly 12000 kms to cycle from Cairo to Cape Town. He nearly died in an accident and had to camp in the middle of now where many nights. He did all of this to raise funds for Matla A Bana.

We are happy to announce that Jos raised R100 000 for our charity. Thank you to all of you who have supported - and thank you to Jos for doing this for us.

Here is some of the arrival photos of the Tour D'Afrique, compliments of Yvon Hunt.

MAB & Yad Emmanuel

2010-05-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

MAB WC manager, Monique Strydom, together with Ingrid Venter (Radio Tygerberg), founded the Yad Emmanuel Network group. The aim of the group is to connect women working in the charity world, in order for them to share knowledge and resources.

For more info on this visit : http://yademmanuel.blogspot.com

Supporting our Super Fit Police officers

2010-05-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

Today, MAB Manager Monique Strydom, paid a visit to the first group of SAPS WC police members doing the "xtreme" boot camp of 6 weeks. She was chosen to inspire this group not to GIVE UP and shared her survival skills and techniques with them! We heard she made a quick departure when she was asked to join them for a cardio session!

Thank you Old Mutual!

2010-05-04T00:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Old Mutual Foundation for sponsoring R 100 000 towards two Child-Friendly Facilities. One will be implemented in Daveyton Gauteng and the other at Cape Town Central FCS in the Western Cape. We hope to have both implemented by end of May.

Last Vodacom Packs

2010-05-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

Lizel and Vodacom volunteers, Shanaaz, Ebrahim (Vodacom Foundation),Elaine (Yebo Hero)

We have managed to stretch the budget for the Vodacom Comfort project and is glad to announce that the last packs were packed last week. Thanx to the sponsorship of Vodacom, MAB managed to supply more than 5000 comfort packs to child-abuse victims in Gauteng and the Western Cape. We would like to thank Vodacom for their support - not only by donating the needed funding, but to all the volunteers who helped with the packing in Gauteng!

MAB faith based volunteer groups will continue to supply comfort packs to the SAPS units adopted by them, until funding is secured for the next year.

MAB Awarded

2010-04-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

MAB received a very special certificate from Honeydew Police Station for the contribution MAB has made in fighting crime. Last year MAB implemented a Child Friendly Reporting Facility at this station and ensured the involvement of a community based group with this station. Thank you Commissioner Reddy for the acknowledgement.

MAB official beneficiary

2010-04-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Matla A Bana has been chosen as one of the official beneficiaries of Branded for Jesus.

Thank you Shoprite Checkers and Radio Good Hope

2010-04-14T13:03:00.001-07:00

Thank you Shoprite Checkers for twice choosing MAB projects to support and donating
R20000 towards our Comfort Packs and Incentive Awards Project. You are the best!

Celebrating Human Rights Day!

2010-03-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

On 19 Mrch 2010 Matla a Bana celebrated Human Rights day by giving 100 Comfort Packs to Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse in Gauteng! Thank you to Vodacom Foundation for making this possible.

Vodacom Volunteers busy packing.

A comfort pack

FCS detectives collecting the packs

Vereeniging Child Friendly Reporting Facility opened!

2010-03-26T23:43:00.000-07:00

On 10 March 2010, MAB opened yet another child friendly reporting facility in Gauteng. This facility situated in Vereeniging, will be used by FCS officers and victims in the area. The aim of such child-friendly facilities is to minimise the secondary abuse children suffer when they report crimes. This facility offer the child a friendly environment, away from police stations.

We would like to thank all our sponsors!

XTREMEFORKIDS

2010-03-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

Jos Malherbe has now reached the halfway mark in his epic journey from Cairo to Cape Town, in aid of Matla A Bana. He has survived a harrowing crash, spent days in a hospital, were stoned by children and many other challenges. He has not only managed to raise more than R70 000 for MAB, but thanx to his undertaking, children in an orphanage in Tanzania also received some of this goodwill.

All of the best Jos for the other half of the journey!

To support this project, please visit http://xtremeforkids.blogspot.com

WC - A child dies every 3 days

2010-03-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

One child was murdered every three days in the Western Cape the last 12 months. From January 2009 to February 2010 108 children died at the hands of killers who in most cases were known to them. Substance abuse is the link in most of these murders.

THANK YOU 94.7 AND NANDO'S

2010-03-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

Thank you to 94.7 and Nando's and all the Peri Peri Cruise "jolly cruisers" for the donation of more than R 160000 towards Matla A Bana. Keep reading this site to see how we have used your donation to help children in need!

OUR PROJECTS AND SUCCESS STORIES - 2009

2010-03-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

When I founded MAB in 2002, I never dreamt that one day we will be able to impact so many children. In our feedback for 2009 (see below) you will see that we had a great year. This however would not have been possible without the dedication of all our community groups and sponsors. We would like to thank each and every one of you. Apologies for not naming all, the list is very long, but you can know that your contribution helped us to help close to 5000 children last year. Once again - thank you and remember - NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!
Monique Strydom (CEO & Founder Matla A Bana)

a. National Adoption Project (Community Mobilisation)
To develop a sustainable, community support project by mobilizing faith base groups to assist the FCS detectives and SOCA officials in dealing with child victims. This will include support for the officials and children by implementing various projects unique to the needs of the individual groups.
Update :
Currently an estimated 100 volunteers and fifteen churches are taking part in this project.

b. MAB Child-Friendly Reporting facilities Project (Victim Support)
The implementation of MAB Child-Friendly Reporting Facilities at SAPS stations where FCS members are stationed (Gauteng) and FCS units (Western Cape). Such facilities will create a safe and comfortable, but also effective environment for the child to disclose. Facilities are developed on a blue print developed by MAB with the assistance of SAPS and includes state-of-the-art audiovisual recording facilities and two-way mirror facilities.
Update : MAB has implemented 6 such facilities, with the latest in Nyanga (WC), Pretoria Central & Vereeniging (Gauteng). Daveyton is next in line and should be completed by mid 2010. In the Western Cape we are planning to have Cape Town Central FCS Unit for the World Cup.

c. Comfort Pack project (Victim Support)
To supply the FCS units and detectives, SOCA courts and rape clinics with comfort packs for small and medium girls. These packs contain goods that will assist the child during the crisis time of reporting the crime (including the disclosure and medical examination).
Update : During 2009 MAB supplied more than 5000 packs to units and courts.

d. MAB Incentive Awards Project (Development)
Bi-annual awards are hosted in the Western Cape and Gauteng to award top performing FCS members for service beyond duty. Since the launch of these awards in 2005, the Gauteng SAPS management has seen a definite improvement in service delivery. Winners of these awards include the constable responsible for the investigation of the Oprah Winfrey School (Gauteng) and the detectives responsible for the capture of SA worst Serial rapist (WCape).
Update : During 2009 two awards ceremonies were hosted in Gauteng and two in the Western Cape.

e. SAPS Specialised Training (Training)
The hosting of specialised training courses for SAPS members to equip them to effectively deal with child and rape victims, as well as sharing important knowledge by the mentorship of younger detectives. SAPS training focussed on investigation, arrest and conviction and not the general welfare of the victim.
Update : During 2009 more than 150 detectives received training in Mentorship, Strength Based Leadership, Conflict management, Stress management, Client service and dealing with rape and abuse victims.

f. Medical Practitioners Training (Training)
The training of medical practioners in the correct medical forensic examination of a rape and sexually assaulted victims, as well as expert witnessing in court.
Update : More than 40 doctors and forensic social workers were trained in the Western Cape during two different training courses.

g. Unique Projects (Awareness & prevention)
Hosting of unique projects during Child Protection Week and 16 of Activism of No Violence against women and children. This include media and radio campaigns to make the public aware of child abuse.
Update : MAB WC hosted a provincial campaign during Child Protection Week by mobilising schools and churches to become involved. Various radio programmes were recorded during the year. MAB has taken part in various other projects from liaising between the police and communities to presenting talks etc.

These projects were made possible by the sponsorship of many companies and individuals, of whom the main sponsors are:

Vodacom Foundation

HCI Foundation
Reach Africa
Rotary Claremont
Highveld 94.7 Nando’s Peri Peri Cruise
Cape Talk Nando’s Peri Peri Cruise
Murray & Roberts
Nando’s
Shellard Media

We would like to thank all our sponsors for your continued assistance.

MAB helping to take on sex trade

2010-03-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

MAB has been involved in assisting various groups and NGO's to take on the sex trade in Cape Town, particular massage parlors trapping young girls with promises of high salaries. For more on this visit http://sextrapsa.blogspot.com/

GAUTENG TOP CHILD PROTECTORS HONOURED!

2010-03-03T23:16:00.000-08:00

The last MAB Gauteng awards was hosted in February 2010. This project, hosted for the last 5 years, will temporarily come to a standstill until sponsorship for this year can be secured. Since it’s launch in 2005, it has become one of the most supported events hosted by the community for the police and the SAPS Gauteng Provincial office has praised MAB numerous times for the impact this award has had on the service delivery of child protection officers.

Once again, MAB celebrated outstanding service by the following individuals and units:
BEST PERFORMER 1ST : Insp Swart Sebokeng FCS
This detective has secured many life sentences in rape cases, in particular the case of a house robbery in 2004 where 3 women where attacked and repeatedly raped. After a very long court case five suspects were convicted and received a total of 67 years imprisonment.

BEST PERFORMER 2ND - Jointly Constable Zwane (Reiger Park) & Constable Molapo (Westonaria)
Constable Zwane is a young detective who managed to secure a life imprisonment on her first rape case. Contable Molapo of Westonaria (a previous winner) was responsible for the arrest and conviction of a rapist in a child-rape case where several children where raped during a long period of 2 years. A very difficult case to prove, but never the less she managed to secure a conviction of 24 years in prison.

BEST PERFORMER 3RD –Jointly Constable Mtshwene (Krugersdorp) & SGT KOENIATE (Jeppe)
Constable Mtshwene was responsible for the arrest of two rape suspects who robbed and raped a 20 year old girl coming back from work repeatedly. The two accusers were later sentenced to 28 and 25 years imprisonment. Sgt Koenaite secured the arrest and a 18 year imprisonment sentence for the rape of a victim by her uncle who overpowered her as she was alone in her house and then threatened her with death.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - Inspector November & Inspector Ndobe
In 2009 a young girl as abducted by 3 men whilst walking home. They took her to a nearby school and then repeatedly raped her and assaulted her. The members arrested all the perpetrators and secured life sentences for each one of them. Although the victim passed away before the case was finalized, her family will have the assurance that these perpetrators will not be able to hurt anyone else.
Constable Ndobe inherited an old case in which a 5 year old was raped by her grandfather. What made the case very difficult was that the young child could not express herself. Even though this member was brand new to the FCS unit, she managed to complete a thorough investigation and secured 20 year imprisonment.

BEST STATION COMMISSIONER – Director Mthombheni (Pretoria Central)
Director Mthombheni of Pretoria Central SAPS received this award for his dedication to implement supporting structures for the FCS detectives at his station. The first Matla A Bana Child-Friendly Reporting facility in Pretoria was opened at his station in January.

BEST FCS COMMANDER - Capt Buthelezi of Jeppe
This commander is a passionate dedicated person who leads by example. She is very supportive of her members. She doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge her members or other role players when the job is done! Teamwork is her motto!

Best FCS Section – Krugersdorp FCS
For investigation of high profile cases which included a place of safety abusing children and a well known business man abusing several children.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE - Sgt Mpiko (Krugersdorp FCS) & Mrs Leonore Louw (Reach Africa)
Sgt Mpiko received this award for the arrest of a father who raped his 12 year old girl. It was her outstanding skills which secured a disclosure by the child in a few hours, resulting in the immediate arrest. The case was closed in a three days and the father sentenced to 19 years imprisonment.

Mrs Leonore Louw (Reach Africa) has donated more than R1 million worth in training to the Matla A Bana Soft Skills training program. This program aims to equip Child Protection officers in soft skills needed to deal with victims. More than 1000 police officers in Gauteng and the Western Cape have been trained by her company. It is the support from individuals like her, that will make an impact on the secondary abuse of rape victims.

Thank you to all the sponsors who made this possible!

MAB opens Child Friendly Facility in Pretoria

2010-03-03T23:01:00.000-08:00

The nearing Soccer World Cup is awaited with great excitement by many, but officers working in the field of child protection are approaching this great event with serious concerns. Human trafficking, child rape and an influx of paedophiles are just some of the many challenges they will have to face. Apart from the severe trauma during rape, victims of this type if crime is often exposed to the secondary trauma of the reporting system. Many police stations do not have the facilities to take statements in a victim friendly environment and doctors are often not trained to do the forensic medical examination.

Pretoria Central Police station however now will be able to offer child-victims the care and service needed when the public report crimes here. This is due to the opening of a child-friendly reporting facility this week. Boasting a private waiting area, child-friendly assessment room and a monitoring room, equipped with state-of-the art recording facilities, the facility is only one of four in Gauteng.

Matla A Bana CEO and founder, ex-hostage Monique Strydom, said that many NGO’s during the last year faced the challenge of keeping important projects running. A dramatic decrease in funding support by donors to NGO’s has resulted to the closure of many of these much needed service. NGO’s have to become more creative in getting projects done. In this case it was the public who had a big hand in it. Funds raised with the Nando’s 94.7 Highveld Peri Peri cruise in 2009, together with co-sponsor Ellerines made this facility a reality.

In his speech, Mr Sedick Arendse, Managing Executive of Ellerines, confirmed the importance the media play in making children and parents aware of the work that SAPS and Matla A Bana do. He believes that children will disclose more readily if they know that facilities like this are available.

In order to secure continued support, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences detectives and staff based at the station, have been “adopted” by Kerk Sonder Mure, a Centurion church, who will need after their spiritual and other needs.

In a recent research report release by Solidarity, it was stated that a child is raped in South Africa every 3 minutes and that only 30% of crimes against children are reported. With alarming statistics like this, and the hidden threat that the World Cup Soccer brings, one would hope that many more facilities like this will be seen at police stations.

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

Xtremeforkids Update

2010-02-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

After his terrible accident Jos is hopefully back in the saddle. The should be in Addis Ababa today, but cell phone reception is so bad, we have not had any news for a while from Jos.

Xtremeforkids Update

2010-01-21T22:58:00.000-08:00

Jos started his extreme cycling trip in aid of Malta A Bana on 16 January. Today is the first rest day and he has seen some challenging times! He had to cope with camping (which is not very good at) and severe head winds - resulting in 40% of the riders not completing this specific leg. But Jos is hanging in there. Today is a rest day in Luxor - so hopefully he will be doing a bit of the touristy stuff.

So far Jos has managed to raise nearly R 60 000 for Matla A Bana. We still need to get about 36 days sponsored - so if you feel you would like to help, please visit http://xtremeforkids.blogspot.com/ or http://matlaabana.co.za/ (Click on Xtreme logo).

YOU GO JOS!

Thank you Minuteman

2009-12-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

Minuteman Press sponsored a colourful banner for Matla A Bana WC. Thanx guys - now people can see who we are!

MAB brings happiness

2009-12-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

On Friday MAB hosted a Christmas party for 35 child victims from Nyanga FCS and Mitchells Plain FCS . This was made possible by the kind sponsorship of Cape Garden Centre. The kids, ages 3 to 12, spent the morning playing in the play park. They were treated the colourful party packs and there where many smiles when they received their gifts. One 4 year old boy stood looking at his gift with big eyes - this was the first time he ever got a gift! Peter Van Niekerk, owner of Cape Garden Centre, received his MAB Incentive award during this event and told the kids that they were the future of South Africa and that people should love and honour them.

Thank you Peter for creating these very special memories!

MAB awards rape cops

2009-12-11T21:23:00.000-08:00

Panel member, Burger Van Der Merwe, Lithle Petros and Monique Strydom

For more than five years one of South Africa’s worst serial rapists, Tsediso Letsoenya, prayed on women in the Cape Flats. He was so arrogant that he would not pray on lone women, but would target couples or small groups of friends. The way he instructed the victims, as well as how victims described his demeanour and mannerisms, made the investigating team suspect that he might have had military training. After many months of investigation, Letsoenya was arrested and this year he was found guilty several charges including 28 accounts of rape. In July 2009 he was sentenced to five life sentences and a further 243 years of imprisonment.
Today, two of the cops who put him behind bars, received recognition for their efforts, when the where awarded the Matla A Bana Outstanding Service award. Supt Alma Wiese, who was the project leader and Inspector Mbuya, both based at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, spent endless hours looking for this rapist. The trail judge, Mr Justice J Motala, said that he would like to commend the work of the members of SAPS for they have clearly devoted much time and effort and their dedication and diligence deserves the highest praise.
The Matla A Bana Incentive awards is hosted in the Western Cape twice a year and this community initiative is to recognise members of the SAPS FCS units who have excelled in the arrest and conviction of perpetrators of crimes against women and children.
Guest speaker, Mr Gasant Adaber (Executive Editor Cape Argus), said in his speech that the public need to be made aware of the outstanding service delivered by dedicated police officers. He also said that the media should work much closer with the police in assisting to find missing children. He used the case of the two children who went missing on route to their mother this week and said the media can assist in finding the children by running these stories. The public however needs to get the info to the media much quicker and the police need to update the media on the progress.
Three other FCS detectives were awarded in the Best Performer Category, based on their arrest rates, conviction rates and community involvement. The top FCS detective in the Western Cape went to Inspector Borg stationed at George FCS, who serves an area or 200 kilometres and 7 police stations. He secured 93 years in sentencing and had a 96% arrest rate for the period. Second and third prize went to Inspector Hendricks (Khayelitsha FCS) and Inspector Mostert (Worcestor FCS) respectively. Both these members have arrest rates of more than 95%.
Businessman, Peter Van Niekerk owner of Cape Garden Centre, was the one of two recipients of the Service Excellence Award for his support to the Child Protection Units and Matla A Bana. Commissioner Petros (WC Provincial Commissioner) the second recipient was awarded for his persistence in not decentralising the FCS units and his dedication to working with NGO’s to help child victims. His fifteen year old daughter, Lithle Petros received the award, as well as a special Build –A-Bear dressed in a golf outfit complete with golf clubs! Apparently the commissioner is on a well-deserved break playing golf somewhere!
In her closing, Matla A Bana CEO, Monique Strydom, used the example the book Chicken Soup of the Soul, which was rejected 140 times before it was published and sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, to inspire these police detectives to not give up. She said that they were indeed the guardians of the city who had to look after our children.

Thank you to our sponsors:

What we will do for charity

2009-12-11T21:15:00.001-08:00

Monique, Flo (Friends of Child Protection, Edith & Pieter)

Sometimes going the extra mile for charity means lot of pain and suffering. As Monique Strydom, who went spinning for the first time in her life - to help abused children. At the Friends of Child Protection spinning day, Monique joined husband Callie, Edith Kriel (Child Trauma Centre) and her husband, Pieter. It was one hour of serious suffering and we heard that she could not walk the next few days...!

Do you know what is going on out there?

2009-12-04T04:44:00.000-08:00

A 3-year old girl is abducted from here Creche in Khayelitsha. Her little body is found in an informal settlement. The FCS unit arrests group of men.

A suspect takes his ex-girl friend into a bush. He rapes and tortures her for two days. She is extremely traumatized. He is arrested and sentenced for 31 years. In the court he attacks his victim with a sharpened toothbrush.

A young girl is attacked when she fetches water. She is taken to an uninhabited shacked where he rapes her. He keeps her there and rapes her several more times until the next night when she eventually manages to escape. He was arrested and was sentenced for 22 years.

An 18 year old girl, on her way to work, is kidnapped at gunpoint and taken back to her house where her younger sister opens the door. In full view of two minor children, he rapes both girls. He keeps on threatening to shoot them. Eventually the younger kids manage to escape and get help. He is arrested and sentenced to 25 years.

Two 12 year old girls are lured into a deserted spot by a 32 year old man. He sexually assault and rapes both. They are severely traumatized. He is eventually arrested and receives two sentences of 10 years each for Indecent assault and two Life Imprisonment sentences for the two rapes.

The mother of a 12 year old girl sends her brother to wake her up for school. He find her in a pool of blood in her bed. The perpetrator is her uncle who raped her during the night and then tried to kill her. She survives, he is arrested and gets 20 years.

Expert warns against child trafficking during 2010

2009-11-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

While the 2010 soccer showpiece next year will bring an influx of tourists and opportunities, it will also bring child predators. There has already been marked increase in child trafficking in the country and the targets are mainly boys under the age of 18 years.
That is the warning of Professor Susan Kreston, a consultant to governments and NGOs on child abuse and exploitation issues. She says a study last year, which looked at the internal trafficking of children in the country, saw in increase for pornographic purposes.
“Child trafficking is the removal of the child from a safe environment. With the levels of poverty in South Africa, visitors are seen as wealthy. With the World Cup, the environment will be ripe for exploitation”.
Children can be lured with tickets to matches or be enticed with opportunities to make money.
“We are very concerned about it. If just a tiny number of visitors engage in child trafficking or child pornography, it’s going to be a problem. Investigation will be difficult as these people will go back to their countries. The children won’t know there names,” says Professor Kreston.
“The treat is very real. Now we have children who will be out of school for five weeks because they have holidays during the tournament. When the children are in school we know where they are for six hours a day. We won’t know where they are at all for the whole five weeks.”
Vanessa Scholtz (Tygertalk)

Note : MAB is alarmed by reports coming in from areas where the mothers are training the 10 year olds to do “messages”, because as they put it “the uncles will pay a lot for it”.

Vodacom Heroes do it again!

2009-11-26T22:54:00.000-08:00

Captain Zwane GKS (Gauteng Province), Thenjiwe (Vodacom Foundation), Lizel (MAB) and Melenie (Vodacom Foundation)

Vodacom Yebo Heroes with Rabie Ridge FCS detectives.

On Friday, 23 October the Vodacom heroes were in action from early morning, packing the Vodacom Comfort packs. These packs are supplied to the police to give to children when they report crimes. It is an emergency pack and contains something to eat and drink, a soft toy, colouring book and crayons and also sanitary pads, panties, tissues, toothpast and a brush and deodorant. The 220 comfort packs were distributed to Child Protection officers at Garsfontein, Pta Central, Rabie Ridge, Sandton, Krugersdorp, Kliptown and Roodepoort Stations.
Thank you to the Vodacom volunteers for helping us with this special taks and thank you to Vodacom Foundation for making this possible!

Thank you Carlswald Spar

2009-11-26T22:46:00.000-08:00

Lucia Odendal (Carlswald Spar) has been a long time supporter of MAB. Whenever we need catering for making our police members feel special or have a special celebration, she is there to help! Lucia, thanx for the great food and for always being there for us!

Going xtreme for our kids

2009-11-23T22:50:00.000-08:00

Xtremeforkids is a fundraising initiative by Jos Malerbe in partnership with Matla A Bana – A voice against child abuse. Jos is one of the participants in the 2010 Tour D’Afrique Bicycle Race. Jos’s aim is to raise more than R100 000 for Matla A Bana and to use this as a vehicle (or bicycle!) to spread the message that children should be protected and loved not abused.

Jos will be departing on 16 January 2010. We would like to wish him the best of luck.

You can support us and inspire him, by sponsoring one of the many daily legs. For more information please visit - http://xtremeforkids.blogspot.com/ or book your leg on http://matlaabana.co.za/.

MAB assists with Child Trauma Training

2009-11-10T01:19:00.000-08:00

MAB will be assisting the Child Trauma Centre to host several training courses in the Western Cape for representatives of the Department of Social Development and NGO’s in the region. Subjects covered will include Working with children, Working with families, Prevention & Early Intervention, Compassion Fatigue and Program planning. Seven clusters and 140 social workers will benefit from this training that will run from October 2009 to June 2010. This project is sponsored by the Department of Social Development.

First Training in Debriefing starts

2009-10-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday a group of 19 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Commanders and Forensic Social Workers in the Western Cape, received training in Conflict Management. This is the first of a series of programs designed to assist members in debriefing and stress management. Earlier this year Commissioner Petros recognised the need for debriefing of members and asked Matla A Bana to address this need.
There is a high rate of divorce, depressing, burn-out and even suicide under these members.
Approximately R 100 000 is needed to host the full program per unit. Should you be interested in sponsoring such a program, please contact us.

We would like to thank the Ferreiras for donating the conference venue and Reach Africa for once again assisting us with the training.

Monique gets Rotary Paul Harris

2009-10-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

Monique Strydom (MAB CEO) was awarded last night with the international Paul Harris Award for her dedication in helping others in need. Thank you Rotary Claremont (Suzanne, Peter and Debbie and the rest!) for this great honour and for supporting so many of the Matla A Bana projects!

Vodacom volunteers our heros!

2009-10-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Every month the Gauteng office supplies 220 comfort packs to police stations to give to child abuse victims. These packs are caringly packed by a group of dedicated volunteers from Vodacome. We would like to thank Melenie Naidoo and her volunteers for being there every month - you are our heros!!

WHITE ELEPHANT brings great surprise

2009-10-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Our Cape Town Fundraiser, The White Elephant sale, caused great excitement recently. Name it, and we had it! Hosted in September at at Cape Garden Centre we managed to raise more than R 10 000 for Matla A Bana. With great bargains and even greater fun (for all the volunteers!) - we will definately be doing this again. We would like to thank Peter and his staff at Cape Garden Centre, as well as our group of 8 volunteers for making this day such an success.

Shellard and Dell comes to the rescue

2009-10-16T04:07:00.000-07:00

Clive from Shellard Media announcing their generous sponsorship!

We urgently needed to install audio-visual recording facilities at Vereeniging FCS in order to make this a child-friendly reporting facility. This equipment is needed to record the interview with the child and can later be used for testimony preparation for court.

Shellard Media (who also sponsored the full audio-visual system for Morokka FCS) and Dell Foundation came to the party and donated R 7000 and R 15000 respectively! We would like to thank both Clive and Elaine for coming to the rescue.

This facility deals with an average of 30 child abuse cases a month - so your donation will go a long way to help minimise the secondary abuse of our children.

Babcock shows some tenderness

2009-09-17T02:09:00.001-07:00

Babcock Africa Services (Pty) Ltd with its majority male employees took the challenge to change an abused child’s life. These gents carefully packed more than 80 comfort packs for child abuse victims and then handed it over to MAB to distribute to Child Protection Sections in Gauteng.

Secretary's day Montecasino

2009-09-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

MAB celebrated National Secretaries Day in grand style at Montecasino. All thanks to the creative efforts of Carin Kotze (Il Muso) who organised the event in aid of Matla A Bana. Edith Venter was the MC for the day, and told everyone that she started her career as a secretary. Author of "The art of good living", Edith is no stranger to Charity, and had bin a great supporter of Matla a Bana over the years.

It was however the talents of the men from Navi Redd who stole the hearts of the ladies, using only their vocal chords and creativity to take audiences on an unbelievable journey of sounds and harmonies. Well-known beauty giant, Willa Krause shared her secrets in how to look great.

There was not a dry eye after Anna Davel performed the son "The Innocent" which she wrote for Matla A Bana.

A very big thank you to all who attended and to all our sponsors:
Montecasino, Willa Krause Group, NetFlorist, M & M Hiring, Fotoman Photography, Your Ticket, Alice Art Gallery, Netmetro, The meat Company, Lindt

FIRST CHILD FRIEDLY REPORTING FACILITY FOR WESTERN CAPE!

2009-09-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Commissioner Petros taking care of the "official opening".

Lauren (Nando's), Tony & Suzie (Rotary Claremont), Comm Petros, Monique (MAB) & Ian (KFM)
The assessment room with one-way mirror

On 28 August the first MAB Child Friendly reporting facility in the Western Cape was officially opened by Commissioner Petros. This facility will help more than 50 child-abuse victims every month and boasts with a victim friendly reception, monitoring room with state-of-the-art recording facilities and a child-friendly assessment room. We would like to thank all the sponsors who made this project possible.

19th August, POA Woman's Day

2009-09-08T00:58:00.000-07:00

It was a day full of caring and personal growth for all attending. Rosemary Hunter, the winner of POA Imbasa Yegolide Award: Industry Personality of the Year, gave an inspirational message to the Ladies. Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Henriette Bester explained the importance of the Matla a Bana projects in helping SAPS and abused victims. She complimen-ted Matla for their consistency as a charity and never giving up. Even when facing the many challenges in the current market. All guests contributed by making comfort packs for abused children. Captain Mawila form Mamelodi East accepted the comfort packs. Our very own Esme Ehlers, one of Matla a Bana’s old friends and trustee Member, with her business partner Berti Akersten, did a talk on "Unlocking Your Potential” These platforms allow Matla a Bana to reach the public and create awareness of child abuse and rape in our country.

POA Women's Day

2009-09-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Comfort Pack Project received a major boost with the donation of comfort packs and comfort packs received from guests during the recent POA Woman’s Day. We would like to thank POA for helping us!

FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION TRAINING - AUG 2009

2009-08-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

SOUTH AFRICA NEEDS FORENSIC DOCTORS WHEN IT COMES TO RAPE
With the popularity of TV programmes like CSI, the public are becoming more aware of the important part forensics can play in solving crimes and securing convictions. There is however a great lack of training for medical doctors when it comes to the forensic examination of abuse and rape victims. This has often resulted in low convictions in such cases.

A group of medical practitioners from hospitals in Cape Town, as well as forensic social workers based at the Cape Town Child Protection Units was part of a group who received specialised training in Welgemoed last week. This training included subjects like Child Abuse, Injuries, Crime Kit and Anal Abuse and the focus of the training was to ensure that doctors know how to deal with the medical examination of a rape or an abuse victim. Dr Tromp Els, one of only a few forensic experts in this field travelled from Lichtenburg to do the training. Dr Els has done medical examinations on more than 3000 rape victims and was keen to share his wealth of knowledge.

Doctor Els shared his fear of South Africa not having enough forensic doctors who could testify and train new generations of doctors. He also stressed the responsibility of doctors to report any suspicious injury and to ensure the welfare of the victim. Stressing the legal implications of not reporting these crimes were Adv Lizelle Africa (NPA) who did a training session on the new legislation, court procedures and defence tactics. Many doctors are terrified to testify in court because they are unsure of what is expected from them. This often results in doctors not wanting to report suspected abuse.

Like the police, the doctors working in the casualty departments, are exposed to severe trauma, especially with child rape and abuse cases. It is often expected from them to establish a relationship with a child, gain the trust of that child and do a extremely traumatic medical examination of the rape victim – all of this within ten minutes. It is therefore essential that they need to be aware of what they are looking for, how to identify sexual abuse wounds and ensure minimum trauma to the child.

All the attendees could not stop speaking about the value of the course and were keen to take the knowledge back to their own hospitals. The two day course was ended of with a certificate ceremony and was made possible by the kind donation of Rotary Claremont.

Matla A Bana, a NGO established by ex-hostage Monique Strydom, works to minimise the secondary abuse that child victims suffer when they report crime. This charity works very closely with the police and legal justice system and reaches thousands of abused children every year.

We would like to thank Rotary Claremont for making this training possible.

RAPE COPS WIN CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC - GAUTENG INCENTIVE AWARDS

2009-08-25T04:11:00.000-07:00

In an era where the cops in South Africa are criticized for being corrupt and not winning the war against crime, some Gauteng cops are proving the opposite. These are the cops dealing with rape and child abuse cases, stationed at the various cluster police stations. During the Malta A Bana Incentive Awards, hosted at Heia Safari Ranch, some of these top cops were honored for their dedication. Several of the winners cracked serial rape cases and secured long sentences, creating a safer environment for the public. Congratulations to our winners!

Best Performer 1st - Sgt Richards Garsfontein FCS is not a trained FCS investigator; despite this she set a high standard in the investigation of a rape case of a young girl. She received the case nearly a year and a half after the incident occurred. The sergeant set up excellent communication between the forensic specialist, the prosecutor and herself. The case was postponed 38 times, but the member made sure that she attended each court hearing. Her thorough investigation secured the arrest and conviction of the two perpetrators and five counts of life imprisonment (first accused) with twenty years for the second accused.

Best Performer 2nd (Jointly) Constable R S Mareletse is receiving this award because of being consistant in solving and arresting cases. He secured a total of 69 years for three rapists in Sharpville and a life sentence in a rape case that took place in De Deur. In the beginning of the year the quick actions of this member save the life of a pedestrian who was knock down in front of him.

Best Performer 2nd (Jointly) Sgt Maile (Alexandra SAPS) faced all the odds when he was handed an old sexual abuse case. Not only was he new to this kind of investigation, but he had to find two medical evidence forms that went missing and deal with a prosecutor who did not believe the case could be won. Because of his dedication the perpetrator received two life imprisonment sentences for rape, 15 years for rape, eight years for attempted murder, 15 years for hi-jacking, 15 years for armed robbery, 5 years for kidnapping and 5 years for assault.

Outstanding Achievement

Captain Mawila investigated a serial rape case of twelve women in the Eersterust, Villieria and Mamelodi policing area. The member linked these cases with rape cases in Mpumalanga and Limpopo and soon a gang of three perpetrators were arrested. The member worked long hours to keep all the victims informed and to liaise with the state prosecutor. The perpetrators were found guilty of rape and robbery with aggravated circumstances and received life imprisonment. A previous winner, Inspector Arrie Prinsloo, once again showed why she is one of the top FCS cops when she cracked two case of serial rape. In the first case the perpetrators prayed on women waiting for taxis. They would drag them into the bush and then rape and rob them. The suspects were arrested, but the case was dealt a blow when none of the victims could identify the suspects. It was however DNA evidence that resulted in the successful prosecution with four life sentences and 107 additional years. In the second case a gang of serial rapists were terrorizing women in the Weltevreden Park area, attacking them at the residences, raping and robbing them. Two suspects were arrested and once again thorough investigation resulted in this rapist being put away for life.

Best Station Commissioner - Director Baijnath of Krugersdorp SAPS is awarded for his dedication to implement supporting structures for the FCS detectives at his station. He has shown dedication to arrest rapist and child abusers by giving his FCS members his full support. He was also very supportive of the MAB projects at his police station, which boasts with a child-friendly reporting environment.

Best FCS Unit and FCS Commander The Vanderbijlpark unit took the honors with having the best arrests and conviction rates for the period. Capt Mokoena, commanding officer of this unit, took the award for the best FCS Commander. She is very supportive of her members and attends all Matla a Bana functions. She doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge her members or other role players when the job is done!

Service Excellence Award

Supt Heila Niemand (Randfontein FCS) was responsible for putting one of the worst child molesters behind bars. Dr Stephanus Potgieter was a well-know music teacher with a dark side – a love for small boys. After investigating an indecent assault complaint on a 13 year old boy, Supt Niemand realized that this was the tip of the iceberg. Her investigation took her across South Africa, from Natal midlands to Cape Town. A total of 152 hours were spent to build a strong case. Not only did Supt Niemand secured the bona-fide help from private companies to assist with hard drive recovery, saving the state thousands of rand, but she also arranged for psychologists to assists with preparing victims for court. The perpetrator pleaded guilty on 44 charges of indecent assault and received 20 years of prison services. Captain Zwane (Provincial Coordinator Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) is the second recipient of the Service Excellence Award for his continued dedication not only in solving crimes, but also in supporting his members. Because of his assistance it was possible for MAB to complete many projects with the FCS unit successfully.

WESTERN CAPE TOP COPS AWARDED

2009-08-05T04:01:00.000-07:00

BEST FCS UNITS : Monique Strydom, Fiona Coyne (Guest Speaker), Capt Niewhout (Vredendal FCS), Supt VD Westhuizen (Delft FCS), Dir Brand

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT : Inspector Kock (middle)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : Flo Borchers (Middle)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : Capt Mhaka with her bear

TOP FCS PERFORMERS

During the recent Matla A Bana WC FCS Incentive Awards hosted at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, these top cops were awarded for outstanding service in protection the children. It was the rural units and investigators who stole the limelight – and the awards. The first prize for the Best Performer was taken by Inspector Payne, stationed at Beaufort West. He worked alone and investigated cases in a vast area. He has managed to get 80% cases to court (whilst working on his own). He secured 50 years of prison sentences for rape cases. He was investigated the high profile case of the pornographic videos of children which made news headlines on Special Assignment. In the case of Jan Links – who had 4 rape, 2 indecent assault and 2 kidnapping cases – the members worked for 7 months, often during the night and weekends to secure the arrest of this perpetrator.

The Outstanding Achievement award, for excellent investigation skills in one specific case was won by Inspector Kock and Sgt De Kock. These two members investigated the rape cases of a 12 year and a 5 year old girls. The ensured the arrest of Ockert Steyn and because of their thorough investigation managed to secure six life sentences.

The Delft FCS Unit walked away with the award for the Best FCS Unit Metropole, whilst the award for the Best Rural FCS Unit was won by the Vredendal Unit. Supt Thea VD Westhuizen took the award for the Best FCS Commander in the Western Cape.

One of the highlights of the day was the two awards in the Service Excellence section. This is awarded to police members or members of the public how have shown exceptional dedication in fighting child abuse. Captain Mhaka, a forensic social worker at Nyanga FCS, is one of the few Xhosa speaking social workers based at FCS Units. As a result of her dedication towards educating herself and working at various other units, she has developed herself as an expert witness and has contributed to various successful prosecutions. Mrs Flo Borchers (Friends of Child Protection) was the first civilian in the Western Cape to receive this awards. She is responsible for the packing and distribution of hundreds of comfort packs to the police and hospitals. These packs are given to child abuse and rape victims when they report crimes. Both these ladies received a speaking ( “I love you”) Build-A-Bear collectors bear.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for your generous support:

VINEYARD HOTEL

DE OUDE HERBERG

PINELANDS CITY LODGE

NANDOS

BUILD A BEAR
TIME ZONE (CLEARWATER MALL)
MANGWANANI SPA