Beyond 16 Days: Youth Empowerment to End the Cycle of Human Trafficking

At the Bitou 10 Foundation, we believe in empowering our youth and community to recognise the dangers of human trafficking and take action to protect themselves and others. This is a critical issue that demands our attention every day of the year — and while the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an important platform to raise awareness, our work goes far beyond this time frame.

In partnership with A21 A-Team Plett, we marked the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December by holding an eye-opening session at Phakamasani Primary School in Kwanokuthula. The session aimed to educate young learners about the realities of human trafficking, a devastating crime that affects over 50 million people worldwide and generates a staggering 4.25 trillion rand annually — more than the net worth of the world’s richest person, Elon Musk. Alarmingly, 64% of trafficking victims in Africa are children, and it’s our children who are most vulnerable.

The good news is that we have the power to change this. Education is the key to prevention, and by arming our youth with knowledge, we can break the cycle of modern-day slavery. Our goal is not just to raise awareness but to give young people the tools to spot the signs of trafficking — whether online or in their communities — and take action to stay safe. At Phakamasani Primary and later at Harkerville Primary, where we spoke to Grade 6 and 7 learners on 12 and 16 February, the students were engaged, attentive, and eager to learn. They were shocked by the statistics, but they also felt empowered to spread the word and to take steps to protect themselves and others.

This campaign isn’t just about providing information; it’s about sparking action. The students took the message to heart and were eager to share the A21 National Human Trafficking Hotline (0800 222 777) with their friends and family. By working together, we can create a safer environment for everyone. The questions the students asked — many of them about things they had heard or seen in their communities — showed just how necessary it is to keep this conversation going. These young minds are ready to make a difference, and we’re here to support them every step of the way.

We are so grateful to Phakamasani Primary's Principal, Mr. Mthobi Ian Fihla, and Harkerville Primary's Principal, Ms. Mahmood, for welcoming us and inviting us back to speak as well. We are touched by the effort that the teacher's are going to to partner with us, such as Harkerville Primary's Grade 7 teacher, Ms. Baartman, for showing the Sound of Freedom film to her class, which provided even deeper insight into the global fight against human trafficking.

This is just the beginning. We are committed to engaging every school in the Bitou area, educating as many children as possible and making sure they are well-equipped to recognise the dangers of trafficking. With every conversation, we are building a more aware, more resilient community that is capable of seizing the opportunities we are working so hard to provide.

The fight against human trafficking is a global challenge, but by starting with our children, we are ensuring that the future we are working towards is one where our young people are safe, aware, and empowered. Together, we can abolish slavery — everywhere, forever.