Social media is buzzing about a photograph depicting a notice prohibiting breastfeeding in the Hartswater Wimpy Restaurant.
The photograph was taken by Carla Cronje from Vryburg and posted in the Facebook Group of La Leche League South Africa. (The La Leche League is an international organisation established to to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education.) Afterwards the photo was also posted outside the closed group, including on Wimpy’s Facebook Page.
As the photo spread through Facebook it resulted in heated arguments as well as multiple posts to Wimpy SA’s Facebook page.
The question was also asked if it is legal in South Africa to forbid breastfeeding in a restaurant. While there is some difference of opinion it does seem that the majority opinion is that it is illegal to forbid mothers breastfeeding in a restaurant as is the case with public breastfeeding.
It was posted on Facebook that after a heated phone call form a mother, the owner of the Hartswater Wimpy agreed to take down the sign.
Wimpy SA’s Facebook Page was continued to be bombarded with posts by outraged mothers and members of the public threatening to boycott Wimpy restaurants. Shortly before 23:00 tonight Wimpy SA Posted an official response on their Facebook Page stating that this is not a nation wide policy but a store specific issue which will be addressed as a matter of urgency.
This incident demonstrates the power social media can grant an individual. A single photograph by an offended mother gathered the support of people across the country and prompted a large company to take action within hours – on a Saturday Night! Tonight Carla is surely the hero of countless BF mothers across South Africa.
Can Kimberley Moms give us some feedback. Have you ever been asked not to breastfeed at any restaurant in Kimberley? Does the malls and restaurants in Kimberley have proper facilities for breastfeeding moms? What has been your experience when breastfeeding in restaurants. E-Mail us at info@kimberley.co.za, inbox us on Facebook or post on our timeline.
See this on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimberleyPortal
Some of the comments publicly posted on the Wimpy Facebook Page.
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La Leche League of South Africa
La Leche League South Africa is a voluntary organisation which provides information and support to women who want to breastfeed their babies.
La Leche League Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers, trained and accredited by LLL, who are happy to help other mothers with questions and concerns about breastfeeding. This one-to-one approach is one of the most effective – and friendly! – ways of getting the support you need. It is important to notice that all our Leaders are mothers who volunteer their time and are therefore not always available. Should you experience any problems contacting Leaders on our list, please try again in about an hour.
LLL also provides support and information for women in special circumstances (premature babies, multiple births, babies with cleft of the soft palate, babies with Down’s Syndrome and many others).
La Leche League South Africa is a non-profit, non-sectarian volunteer organisation dedicated to providing information, encouragement and support to breastfeeding mothers through our unique mother-to-mother support network.
La Leche League South Africa is active on governmental and NGO bodies working for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding in South Africa. Our Leaders have been in teams with health professionals facilitating UNICEF-designed Lactation Management training workshops, and our Peer Counselling Programme has already trained more than 400 volunteers, largely from disadvantaged communities, to work as breastfeeding counsellors.
Membership in LLL South Africa costs R200 per annum, and offers a discount on all books bought from LLL. For any further information, help with breastfeeding problems, or if you would like to join La Leche League South Africa, please contact us at one of the following: nel.esme@gmail.com / Liz@robinson.wcape.school.za / nanjolly@iafrica.com / ellen@absamail.co.za.
Further contact details can be found on the La Leche League website.
Mothers from Kimberley can contact Alet-Marie on (082) 783-2338 to find information on the La Leche League group in Kimberley.
