8 849 Bras for Humanity Exhibition confronts GBV

The Impilo Collection Foundation today opened EmpowerHer: 8 849 Bras for Humanity, a national exhibition at Constitution Hill that transforms one woman’s Mount Everest climb into a public campaign for dignity, equality and an end to gender-based violence (GBV).

Founder Angela Yeung carried a single bra to the summit of Everest earlier this year; that single act—prompted by a young girl’s request, “Please bring me a bra next time”—has grown into an art installation of 8 849 bras, one for every metre of the world’s highest peak. The installation is intended as both memorial and mobilisation: a visual tally of lives, stories and the collective demand for change.

Why the exhibition matters

South Africa faces persistently high rates of GBV. The South African Medical Research Council estimates that one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and roughly 2 700 women die each year as a result of GBV. The EmpowerHer exhibition places these statistics into a public, human context—using art and activism to direct attention, conversation and concrete support toward survivors.

The choice of Constitution Hill as the venue is deliberate. A site that once symbolised oppression, Constitution Hill now stands for democracy, rights and justice. The Impilo Collection Foundation anchors the exhibition in South Africa’s constitutional promise—Section 12(1)(c): “Everyone has the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.”

What visitors will see and do

The Johannesburg presentation runs 26 November – 10 December 2025, open daily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM as part of the 16 Days of Activism calendar. Public programming includes:

• The Mountain of Bras — a monumental sculpture assembled from 8 849 bras symbolising unity, resilience and collective action.

• Panel discussion on dignity, gender and healing through art and activism — 26 November 2025, 10:00–12:00.

• Interactive Pledge Walls where visitors can publicly commit to ending GBV.

Following its Johannesburg debut, the exhibition will tour all nine provinces in 2026 under the theme “Carriers of Courage,” with each provincial leg concluding in the distribution of bras and dignity packs to women and girls in need.

From symbolism to practical support

Impilo Collection Foundation is positioning EmpowerHer as both awareness-raising and materially helpful. The project calls for support in several practical areas:

• Donations to cover washing, packaging and labelling of the 8 849 bras (project cost approx. R100,000).

• Corporate and logistics partnerships to fund transport, accommodation and meals for the national roadshow team.

• Community and corporate collaborations to expand distribution of bras and dignity packs in each province.

Angela Yeung said: “When I stood on the summit of Everest, I promised that every metre climbed would represent a voice for change. This exhibition is that promise fulfilled — a reminder that healing begins when we stand together.”

How to get involved

Impilo Collection Foundation invites individuals, corporates and communities to support the national effort—by donating funds towards the R100,000 project needs, partnering on logistics for the provincial roadshow, or contributing as a community outreach partner to ensure dignity packs reach women and girls who need them.

Event details (verified)

• Event: EmpowerHer: 8 849 Bras for Humanity — national exhibition

• Venue: Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

• Opening: 26 November 2025

• Closing: 10 December 2025

• Public viewing: Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (during 16 Days of Activism)

• Panel discussion: 26 November 2025 | 10:00–12:00

A national roadshow

After Johannesburg, the exhibition will travel to every province in 2026, continuing under the banner “Carriers of Courage.” Impilo Collection Foundation is engaging sponsors and partners to make the tour possible and to ensure that each display is followed by distributions of bras and dignity packs to frontline organisations and communities.