#Not in My Name, # Not in JRAC’s Name, #JRAC Men do not Abuse..

In the recent past, we have witnessed a surge in attacks on runners in and around Centurion. As a club we made some strides to conscientise runners about the dangers of running alone. Now, what have we done about the plight of women who are experiencing Gender Based Violence (GBV) on a daily basis? Every three hours, a woman is killed in South Africa, according to government statistics. Imagine living in a country where you cannot run when you want to.

Our fellow women and children are not safe in Post Offices, in Shopping malls, in their own homes and around the people they trust; be it a partner, co-worker, club mate, etc. Clearly such anomaly cannot continue unchallenged.

Just Running Athletics Club would like to laud all its members for taking a stand against GBV during the 16 days against Gender Based Violence campaign. In an effort to include men as part of the solution, JRAC would like to encourage more men to join the likes of Modisana Bogatsu, Hector Ndou, Victor Nemukula, Sepadi Nkadimeng, Kenny Maduna, Sibonele Ngeleka, Mthokozisi Mthinyani and many other fellow JRAC family runners who ran 16 km for 15 days and 32km on the 16th day, which was on 16 December 2020.

Some said running 16 km continuously for 16 days was excruciating; however, they felt morally obligated to do it in remembrance of Gomelemo Legae, Precious Ramabulana, Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre "Baby Lee" Jegels, Nthabiseng Rampai , Meghan Cremer, Nhlanhla Mphahlele and many others, who are victims of GBV.

Enough is Enough!!! JRAC would like to call upon all men to act against GBV and its normalization, do away with gender stereotypes and roles, and challenge sexist jokes and remarks about women. Let us all make JRAC to be a shining star, whose lime colours will forever be against GBV and make each day be a day against GBV. We are looking forward to another 16 days run against GBV in 2021.