Update<\/em><\/strong>: the event has been moved to inside the Neelsie due to weather considerations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The performance on the Rooiplein is specifically focused on collecting essential menstrual care products (pads and tampons) and funds for those products for the girls in the Lalela Project’s grade 8 Women Empowerment class. A broader theme of the performance is also the destigmatisation of the female body, which is especially striking in the current climate of awareness surrounding violence against women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Posters by @tannie_mieke<\/a>, from @theplatformstb<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lalela (meaning “to listen” in Zulu) was founded in 2010 with the goal of using art as empowerment, teaching children in vulnerable communities creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills. They have teams in Cape Town, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Northern Uganda, with representation in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Platform<\/em> was established by Kirsty Adams, a singer, songwriter, violinist and composer, to bring together various arts departments at Stellenbosch University, and specifically to engage in non-profit work through the arts. Adams, who completed both a BMus and MMus in composition at SU, released her debut EP in April and two accompanying music videos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In January 2017 The Platform<\/em> gave their first performance in the open space outside the Endler Hall, donating the proceeds to the Michael Parks Foundation<\/a>, and in 2018 their beneficiary was the Anna Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the goal of The Platform<\/em>, Adams explained: “Our mission is to give the unspoken a voice through the arts. No-one really talks about education in rural societies, and no-one – for sure – talks about menstruation, especially during the awakening to the horrors of gender-based violence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a press release by The Platform<\/em>, “this performance pre-empts the International Day of the Girl on 11 October. In honour of this day and what it stands for, The Platform hopes to resonate a message of destigmatising the female body and to create comfortable spaces for young girls and young women to care for and love their bodies.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n This performance forms part of and serves as the “grand finale” of a larger social media campaign. Those that cannot attend in person are encouraged to consider donating directly to Lalela:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ilizwi.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2140686745109678663-819x1024.jpg\")
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<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAccount Owner: Lalela Project Trust\nBank: Investec Bank Limited\nBranch: 100 Grayston drive\nBranch Code: 58 01 05\nType of Account: Current Account\nAccount Number: 10012171480\nReference: THE PLATFORM or FEMALE EMPOWERMENT<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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