EU DONATES E35K TO 10 NGOS

MBABANE – The European Union (EU) donated E35 000 to 10 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during World Celebration Day at Yebo! Art Gallery in Ezulwini yesterday.

The 10 organisations are; One Billion Rising, Women Unlimited, Hosea’s Heart, Joyful Hearts, Kwakha Indvodza, Phumelela Project, Sight of Hope, Sivusa Nengcebo, Haven of Hope, and Women in Law Southern Africa Eswatini. The donated funds were raised from an auction sale that took place last year during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Local artists came together and donated their art to the EU so that it could be sold to raise funds for local NGOs. The artists, who donated their pieces to the EU, were Honest Mhlanga, Khulekani Msweli, Sive Manana, Sinenkhosi Msomi, Wema, Aleta Armstrong, Bulelwa Kunene, Xolelwa Malinga, Thabo Lukhele, and Phindile Manana.

Support

Yebo! Art Gallery Director Armstrong extended her gratitude to the EU Ambassador to Eswatini Dessislava Choumelova, for her unwavering support towards the organisations that fight against GBV. She stated that they hope local NGOs will get all the support they need, as their work is very vital. “As women, we are facing a war against us; we need a lot of support to fight this pandemic,” she stated. She further said that Yebo! Art Gallery worked together with local artists to raise awareness about GBV. She said it was interesting to work together with the artists. “It was interesting to sit down and listen to each other and disagree on some of the issues; it was a very powerful project because that is how future leaders are created,” she added. Armstrong said this is just a starter; she hopes next time they raise the more funds.

One of the artists who supported this project, Mhlanga, said that in most cases, it is the male child who becomes the perpetrator of violence. It is for that reason that he joined forces to use his voice through his art to raise awareness against GBV. He also shared his disappointment with local corporations that are not coming on board to support them as artists. “It is a plea to our corporations that they should consider giving back to society, as in some instances, it is their employees who become victims of GBV.”

Problem

The EU Ambassador to Eswatini Choumelova said GBV is a big problem for the country and also contributes to the delay of the country’s development. She further stated that, as EU, they would continue to support local NGOs to make sure that local women are seen as leaders and empowered, economically and politically. “We will continue to give support until GBV is completely eradicated. We have set aside a large amount of money that is entirely devoted to human capital development.” Local individuals and companies that bought the arts were the eputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla, Standard Bank Eswatini, and the Central Bank of Eswatini, to mention a few.

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