SA Men Award Nomination for Cape Town Hero Radius Who Risked Life to Rescue Rape Victim

Brave South African Radius Masukume – who risked his own life to help rescue a woman who was being raped in Cape Town earlier this month – has been nominated for an SA Men of the Year Award.

As reported by SAPeople, Masukume was stabbed multiple times as he intervened to save a 45-year-old woman who was being raped by two young men in a Tableview field, situated off Gie Road, on 10 October 2019.

The SA Men of the Year Awards seeks to recognise Men who contribute positively in their societies, and honour them, according to its Facebook page.

Despite budget constraints this year which have meant the Awards are focused on Gauteng and not nationwide, Masukume’s kind deed was exceptional and deserves national recognition, said organisers.

The SA Men of the Year Awards Chairperson Bongani Ngomane told News24: “The brave and heroic deeds of Mr Radius Masukume deserve a special recognition, not only by the people of Cape Town but by all South Africans.”

Ngomane said they felt compelled to honour 49-year-old Masukume because his actions capture the campaign’s sentiments: Don’t Look Away and Not In My Name.

Since the media outlet published the news, which included the hope that a sponsor could be found to fly Masukume to Gauteng for the ceremony, South Africans have been enthusiastically offering to pay for his flight.

Nominations for the Awards close at the end of October, and the Awards ceremony will be held on 27 November at Carnival City.

Previous winners have included Comrades legend Bruce Fordyce, legal advocate George Bizos and property mogul Richard Maponya.

Masukume, who runs a construction business and is the father of six children, previously told News24 that he didn’t think twice before helping the woman when he heard her cries for help.

He said: “It’s how I was raised. I am a son of a chief.”

There has been an outpouring of gratitude for Masukume’s bravery during a time when gender based violence is making headlines around the country. Keep the Energy set up a fundraising page, which has already raised over R48,000, and said: “We would like to thank Mr Masukume for not being a part of the problem and for risking his life to save the woman.”

No suspects have been arrested yet.