PORT ELIZABETH - REEVA STEENKAMP FOUNDATION LAUNCHED ON FRIDAY / HER 33RD BIRTHDAY

The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation is being officially launched in Port Elizabeth on Friday‚ on what would have been Reeva’s 33rd birthday.

According to a statement released by the foundation‚ the aim is to “to honour Reeva’s legacy by continuing the work Reeva started‚ by educating and empowering woman and children against violence and abuse“.

“Tonight will see the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer‚ Kim Martin‚ the introduction of the ‘Reeva Pack’ – an educational initiative against domestic violence‚ and the announcement of the first ‘Reeva Girl’ – a bursary which will be awarded to a final year law student who aims to specialize in family law‚” the statement read.

According to the foundation’s website‚ patrons and ambassadors of the foundation include the likes of former Miss South Africa‚ Claudia Henkel‚ gender activist Josina Machel and Liesl Schoonraad‚ who became the first woman in South Africa to pull a 10 ton truck with only a body harness‚ the first woman in the world to pull a Dakota Aircraft and took part in South Africa’s first strongest woman competition.

Speaking to TMG Digital last month‚ Barry and June Steenkamp’s lawyer‚ Tania Koen said that the ‘Reeva Pack’ is intended to be made freely available at hospitals‚ police stations‚ places of public transport‚ and any public or private institutions.

“The public can either donate money for this purpose or buy these packs (which will then be sent to them) for distribution‚” she said.

While the daily running of the foundation will be by Martin‚ trustees of the foundation include: June Steenkamp‚ attorney and director of BDLS Attorneys Craig de Lange‚ Jacqui Mofokeng as well as the mother of Pistorius’ ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor‚ Trish Taylor.

The trustees and members of the foundation aim to achieve the following:

- To educate the world about the abuse of woman and children;

- To educate woman of their self-worth and right to a safe environment;

- To inform victims of abuse of the resources available to them; and

- To empower these women through education and skills development to become self-supporting.

VIA - sowetanlive.co.za