2009 was an important year in the history of the Saartjie Baartman Centre, as we celebrated our 10^th anniversary – 10 years of challenges, amazing growth and wonderful rewards.

“The 10 year existence of the Centre has been a story of courage, tenacity and the unrelenting conviction in our right to live free of abuse, to have choices and to create opportunities for ourselves,” said Synnøv Skorge, director of the SBC.

The SBC has grown tremendously over the 10 years: starting with one project – the shelter – and two onsite partners. By the end of 2009 SBC managed nine projects including two shelters and had nine on-site partner organisations. A reflection on the past 10 years can be read in the 2009 Annual Report.

To mark the 10-year anniversary celebration, the SBC hosted a black-tie event on 14 November 2009 at the BMW Auto Atlantic Foreshore Showroom.

Staff, shelter residents, partners and other honoured guests enjoyed an evening of good food and foot-tapping music – indeed, people didn’t stay seated for too long, royally entertained by the likes of Irit Noble and her divaliscious ladies, Peanut Butter Jazz and Coda.

The SBC would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed to the wonderful event – Auto Atlantic BMW Foreshore, the Foschini Group, Caledon Water, Anura Wines, Pick ‘n Pay, African Digital Printing, Regal Rentals, Lindt Chocolate, Customer Care Solutions and Samantha Pegg Photography.

Together with many other women's and human rights activists and organisations, the Saartjie Baartman Centre has added its name and support to a letter written to the press about the way 800m gold medal winner Caster Semenya has been treated by the athletics community and in the media:

10 February 2009
After more than a decade of democracy and a constitution that enshrines the rights of each human being in this country, can South Africa still afford leaders who cannot or will not accept every person’s fundamental right to equality, especially to equality of treatment and respect?

This is the question we have been asking ourselves at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children over the last couple of weeks.

15 August 2008

Five months ago, our director, Synnøv Skorge, was approached by the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) with an exciting proposition. A shelter was badly needed in the Worcester area, a large farming community some 100 km from Cape Town. As the SBC had the expertise, would we assist the DSD and the Worcester municipality to develop an already ear-marked house into a shelter. Needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity, as it fitted so well into one of our strategic plans to replicate our centre and shelter model wherever possible.