By Oldrin Masowa

He still vividly recalls all the tragic moments like it was yesterday. The discomfort every day, the roars and sleepless nights that left him feeling powerless. But even though the torture and suffering were unbearable, even though it sometimes crippled his very being, he was never broken. Now that he is a grown man, he holds his head high and vows to put an end to gender-based violence (GBV).

This is the story of Atang Swartbooi (21), a third-year LLB student on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), who is the founder and owner of #YoubeforeMe.

He has established this initiative as a platform for students to express their heartfelt and tragic life experiences.

Atang was born and raised in Rustenburg in North West. He established this initiative in order to assist in the fight against GBV and to give a voice to the voiceless. During his first year of study, Atang did not realise how severe the occurrence of GBV was until he recalled that his mother was among the victims of GBV.

According to this social-justice activist, he had never envisioned this type of life as a teen, but as he grows older, the memories of his married mother being abused encouraged him to form this initiative.

“I started this programme to help eradicate the social practice of abusing women as a way of disciplining them,” says Atang.

Atang says he remembers how his initiative started. “I uploaded my first video on social media about addressing the issue of the constant increase in the number of women and children in this country who are being abused.”

He says the name #YoubeforeMe was derived from the idea of putting others before himself by understanding and comprehending how they feel.

“I want to change the social narrative by involving men in a conversation about social injustice and GBV and finding key solutions to these issues,” adds Atang.

Atang has also shared why his initiative is distinctive. “I always strive to create video content for our audience that is simple, fun and interactive yet educational.”

Although he has encountered challenges throughout this initiative, he remains focused. “When I started this initiative, I received a lot of offensive responses, particularly from a site for men questioning whether I was doing it in order to gain clout or was genuinely standing against GBV against women,” says Atang.

Atang says he is grateful to have partnered with organisations such as The Sisterhood, Women for Change and other private entities in Cape Town. He still wishes to spread his wings to partner with other initiatives around Potchefstroom.

He pointed out that the government is not the only entity accountable for the GBV issue – the public is too. “I believe that this issue disturbs us all, given that the government is not there when our women and children are being killed or raped, but the public is, therefore everyone should be held accountable,” adds Atang.

He wishes to inspire young people to be proactive in dealing with this issue and not wait for something to happen before they act.

Atang will be hosting a Seshwalk (GBV) educational workshop in the coming months to raise awareness on issues such as mental health and GBV.

Anyone interested in joining Atang’s initiative #YoubeforeMe can contact him on email at atangswartbooi6@gmail.com, or they can send a message on WhatsApp to 072  900 3051. 

Atang Swartbooi