Open Chair Safety Allies

Dear Advertising & Marketing Industry,

Loeries Creative Week is around the corner. And we’d all like to celebrate and have a good time without any fear or threat for our safety. Let’s be blunt – no one needs another Veli Ngubane incident.

The request from Open Chair is simple: 

1. We need at least 2/3 (or more) volunteers – Male AND Female from all organisations to serve as Safety Allies during the parties taking place at Creative Week.

2. The task will involve you wearing an Open Chair #OnMyWatch T-shirt/Bib and keeping an eye out for any bad behaviour at parties. If you spot anyone being harassed, bullied, coerced, or facing any kind of aggression, we ask you to report it to security or assist the person in getting out of an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

3. This is not about standing on the side-lines and doing the job of the existing security guards. It’s about tapping into already existing behaviour that women have as part of an unspoken code. We look out for each other. And now we’re asking you to join us.

4. Obviously, if you choose to be a Safety Ambassador, the onus is on you not to consume alcohol while being a Safety Ally. You don’t have to be on standby every night. We can share the load.

Finally, this is not just about a visible presence of safety. It is about a personal commitment to a better industry – to hold each other accountable, to be part of the change and to create the kind of industry we truly need. This is an act of care and solidarity.

If you would like to participate. Please respond to Ntsoaki (ntsoaki@loeries.com) and Suhana (suhanagordhan@gmail.com) with the names, contact numbers and email addresses of the volunteers.

Thank you,
The Open Chair Board