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This year, the Open Disclosure Foundation (ODF) celebrates its fourth birthday, and there are so many reasons for this incredible organisation to celebrate.

 

At the heart of the ODF is Andile Carelse (nee Gaelesiwe), a kwaito artist who in 2001 revealed her painful past of being raped as a child.

 

After her disclosure hundreds of South Africans were encouraged to face their ordeals with sexual abuse. And as a result Open Disclosure was born.

 

On the 9th March 2002, over 50 people attended the very first Open Disclosure Day, among these were over 30 rape survivors, friends, family members, government representatives, role models and counsellors.  

 

The session began with Andile sharing her dramatic experiences of two horrific rapes. The ability for the group to share and understand the emotions of each survivor leads to many of the survivors disclosing their stories as well.

 

The session was facilitated by a counsellor and various other supporters who were able to provide a safe place for disclosure and a caring shoulder for those that needed it.

 

Andile, who is married to well known sports anchor, Udo Carelse, is passionate about leading the fight to end sexual abuse and violence across her country by creating forums to empower young people to talk about abuse and seek help.

 

Using her extensive connections to celebrities, police, counsellors, and teachers, this energetic and fun loving 34-year old is getting at the root of why sexual abuse happens and what society can do to stop it.

 

Her other projects include scripting, translating and presenting a TV show called Khumbul’ekhaya (remember home) and writing a book for all school-going young people called: claiming back your soul.

 

Andile, who was awarded the Clinton Democracy Fellowship, is also an Ashoka fellow. Ashoka is a global network for social entrepreneurs and she is working on the marketing of the organization in Southern Africa.

 

This proud South African, who was saluted by Social Services Minister, Zola Skweyiya, for starting the ODF, spoke to gsport about her passion to help victims of abuse, and what she has learnt along the way.

 

Despite her hectic schedule, this busy body finds time to keep, by either going to gym or practicing Bikram Yoga.

 

Introducing gsport’s July Woman, Social Entrepreneur, Andile Carelse!

 

What prompted you to launch the Open Disclosure Foundation (ODF)?

 

As a result of a sea of young people needing help in dealing with their ordeals of sexual violence. I discovered this after my public disclosure on a Gauteng youth radio station (Yfm) of my pain as a victim of sexual violence.

 

Before then, how did you deal with what happened to you?

 

I didn’t. All I allowed myself to do after all those rapes was survive and that meant that nobody could know because I wouldn’t want to be discriminated against for what was done to me and I didn’t want to be the talk of the town.

 

After the rape, on my way to school (in Nelspruit), the biggest fear I had was that, if I told my folks, they wouldn’t believe me, or would even want to blame me for having done something to have caused that to happen.

 

So I wrote a lot of music performed at the school shows and acted in the plays. I did everything but deal with my ordeal all those years.

 

What’s been the public response to the ODF?

 

WOW, what has been incredible to me is how many new rapes are still taking place in our communities, as we see this from the cases we deal with at the centre and the young people we see when we do school tours. The response is amazing there’s a lot of work to be done.

 

How can the ODF assist women and young girls who have been abused?

 

ODF assists women on a daily basis by offering them long term therapy and counseling through group sessions as well as one on ones.

 

During the 16 days of activism we hold self defense workshops and share in the rebuilding of the lives of those touched by these horrendous crimes.

 

Who funds the running of the Foundation?

 

The department of social services is our funder as well as praxima (payroll systems co) who’ve just come on board.

 

We are still looking for more funders so we can extend our services like online counseling, courses of self defense offered to our clients free of charge etc

 

Aside from your work with the ODF, what are your other projects?

 

I’m currently scripting translating and presenting a TV show called khumbul’ekhaya (remember home).

 

I am also writing a book for all school-going young people called: claiming back your soul, conceptualizing television programming is a great love of mine and so I’m working hard on that right now.

 

I’m an Ashoka fellow a global network for social entrepreneurs and so I’m now also working on the marketing of the organization in Southern Africa.

 

How did you feel being awarded the prestigious Clinton Democracy Fellowship by ex-US President Clinton in recognition of your work in the area of social responsibility?

 

That was the most amazing experience it was my destiny. Meeting the (former president) Clinton was unbelievable yet inspiring. A great thinker and leader was right here for me learn from so I could become that which I was meant to be.

 

Spending 3months in the states was an eye opener and a great learning curve. It made also realize how blessed I was to have been born in South Africa.

 

What are some of your other career highlights?

 

Among others: Singing at the Mtv staying alive concert in Cape Town. Being saluted by the Minister of Social Services, Zola Skweyiya, for starting ODF, khumbu’lekhaya winning an international film and TV award a few months ago.

 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

 

Know what you don’t want so get what you really want!

 

gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How would you define femininity?

 

Femininity is me with all my flaws, the sway of my hips and the love I have for my bosom 🙂

 

 

How do you relax?

 

Love, love, love bathing- so a long scented bath with a book and some music in the background or I go to spa for a pampering!

 

How do you keep fit?  

 

I try to go to the gym when I can and then I also do bikram yoga.

 

What is your favourite spectator sport?

 

Used to be soccer, but the soccer fever has kind of diminished.

 

Who are your favourite sports stars?

 

Thierry Henry and Serena Williams.

 

What’s the most amazing thing about being a woman?

 

Being so present and in touch with my emotions, being able to feel your way through life!

 

What is your biggest joy in life?

 

Knowing everything is as it should be always.

 

What advice do you have for women who are struggling with low self esteem and confidence?

 

Start by being true to you about your deepest darkest fears; write everything down because while it is a good tool for documenting writing is one of the most therapeutic things one can do.

 

Once you’ve got your fears down find the facts about each fear and get to understand what’s going on with you. I also encourage that you bring someone you trust to help you deal with these emotions.

 

How is married life treating you?

 

Married life has a beautiful yet scary security about it, it’s a growth space and has been awesome to share with Udo.

 

What inspires you?

 

The state of humans in this world is a life time of inspiration.

 

Who are your role models?

 

All the people great and small around the world who take time to help others.

 

What is your greatest ambition?

 

To have my own space of thoroughly healing our nation through one person at a time on television.