GBV Activist Walks 29-hours to Provide Women With Free Self-Defence Classes

Photo Credit: Yellow For Survivors NPC

This September, gender-based violence activist Leilani Kuter will take on her 3rd annual walk to highlight sexual assault survivors in South Africa.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 September 2021) – In September 2019, rape survivor and activist Leilani Kuter (47) from Roodepoort, Gauteng, began a 27-day journey, covering a distance of 729km, to take a stand against sexual assault and gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.

Wearing yellow, the colour her attacker wore, Leilani sought to break the stigma rape carries and raised over R250 000 on BackaBuddy to support and empower rape survivors throughout the country.

Since then, Leilani has done an annual challenge to raise funds to help sexual assault survivors and to work through her own past trauma. This year she plans to walk for 29-hours to raise R290,000.00.

Wearing yellow, the colour the attacker wore on that fateful day, Leilani stepped out of the shadows on the 27th anniversary of her assault and walked 27km for 27 days, a total distance of 729km, uplifting survivors with every stride.

Joined by over 300 individuals, including Bruce Fordyce, Leilani was encouraged not to give up.

On the 28th anniversary of her assault, Leilani returned with a nostalgic walk, walking 28km for 16 days, revisiting significant milestones and places in her life.

On the 16th of September 2021, the 29th anniversary of her sexual assault, Leilani will take on a new challenge: walking for 29 hours, from Ventersdorp to Little Falls, Gauteng, to raise R290 000 on BackaBuddy, to provide women, particularly those in disadvantaged areas with access to free self-defence classes.

The self-defence classes, which cost R300 per person, will take place during the 16 days of Activism in November, with Gary Lewis and Carien Davel from Never Tap Out.

“I am passionate about self-defence because if I had some of these skills in 1992, I might have been able to protect myself. These courses won’t make you a hero, but they could save your life and give you a fighting chance!” – says Leilani
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On her walk, Leilani will be joined by her friend Jaxy Olivier, two Guardian Angels from 1st For Women, and Gerhard Botes, who will be driving closely behind to ensure their safety.

With her awareness walks, Leilani has raised over R500 000 through her non-profit organisation, Yellow For Survivors NPC, to support rape crisis centres in South Africa, such as SA Women Fight Back, Tears Foundation, Purple Foundation, Bobbi Bear Foundation and many others.

In addition to her awareness walks, Leilani has also completed more than 2500km’s in dedication walks to honour women affected by gender-based violence, such as Sibongile Zenzile, Olivia Jasriel and Reeva Steenkamp.

“For me, walking has been very healing. When you look back and see how far you’ve come, you are reminded that the past is behind you and that you need to keep moving forward. When I started my walks, I had no expectations and no idea that this would change my life. Now everyone knows me as the lady with the yellow shirt. ” – says Leilani

Yellow For Survivors NPC is raising funds to give free self-defence classes to people in disadvantaged areas, and we raise funds to donate to other rape crisis centres as below. You can support the cause here. All donors are eligible for a Section 18A tax certificate issued by Yellow for Survivors NPC.