To kick-start Women’s Month, actress Thando Thabethe has broken the internet with a campaign against women abuse called #MakeItStop. She tells us more about the campaign. 
Please tell us more about #MakeItStop.
I came up with this campaign as we lead up to Thando Thabethe’s Womens Day Netball Challenge, happening on 8 August. The netball challenge is to raise funds for women who are in abusive relationships.
How and why did you come up with the idea of using celebrities to recreate images of abused women?
This idea was something I wanted to do last year but didn’t get a chance, so I was honoured to do it now. I chose women who are close to me to take part in it as they are influential in their own ways. The purpose was to get people talking, and also make them uncomfortable so we can understand the magnitude of domestic violence. I want people to know and understand that it can happen to anyone.
Why did you come up with the campaign?
Domestic violence is something that is very close to my heart. I grew up witnessing my dad beat up my mom and it never sat well with me, so this campaign was something I really wanted to do. A lot of people have been asking me why I didn’t use happy women in the pictures, but happy women won’t really spark the conversation I want people to have.
Do you have any advice for women going through women abuse?
A lot of people are very quick to tell women to leave and get out of the relationship. It’s very easy for people to say that when they have never been through it. Most women don’t want to leave their abusive partners, but they want to #MakeItStop. So, I would suggest that women try to get help for their partners and if that fails, go to organisations that will help them, like POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse). Let’s get help.
How can one be involved in this campaign?
Send through an email to info@thandothabethe.com to enter the netball challenge. We still have space, and tickets are R100. All proceeds go to the Bethany Home.
Celebs involved in the #MakeItStop campaign are:
Thando Thabethe
Ayanda Thabethe
Denise Zimba
Manaka Ranaka
Andisiwe Dweba
Tema Sebopedi
Ms Cosmo
Dineo Moeketsi
