A single bra carried to the top of Mount Everest has sparked one of the most striking public art statements Johannesburg will see this year. The Impilo Collection Foundation has officially launched EmpowerHer: 8,849 Bras for Humanity at Constitution Hill, a large-scale installation that transforms an everyday garment into a national symbol of dignity, solidarity and resistance against gender-based violence (GBV).
South Africa continues to face staggeringly high rates of GBV, with one in three women expected to face physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. For many survivors, the impact goes far beyond statistics; it reaches into the most intimate corners of their lives, including access to basic clothing items like bras.
This is where the story begins.
Earlier this year, Angela Yeung, founder of the Impilo Collection Foundation, summited Mount Everest not in pursuit of personal glory, but to raise awareness for women whose most basic needs are overlooked. She carried one bra to the peak, a tribute to a young girl who once told her, "Please bring me a bra next time." That single request revealed an uncomfortable truth: in many under-resourced communities, bras are a luxury, and their absence can deepen the trauma and indignity faced by survivors of violence.
Each of Everest's 8,849 metres became a dedication. A story. A woman. A stand against silence.
Now, those 8,849 symbolic metres have been transformed into a monumental installation at Constitution Hill, comprising 8,849 donated bras, a collective "mountain" of courage and community action.
The exhibition could not have found a more meaningful home. Once a place of oppression, Constitution Hill now represents South Africa's commitment to justice and human rights. The installation draws on Section 12(1)(c) of the Constitution, the right to be free from all forms of violence, grounding the exhibition in both art and activism.
Visitors can expect a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience, including:
- The Mountain of Bras: a towering sculpture celebrating resilience and unity.
- Panel Discussion (26 November, 10 am–12 pm): unpacking dignity, gender, art and healing.
- Interactive Pledge Walls: inviting the public to commit to ending GBV.
The exhibition is just the beginning. In 2026, EmpowerHer will travel to all nine provinces under the theme Carriers of Courage, with each stop culminating in the distribution of dignity packs and bras to women and girls in need.
"When I stood on the summit of Everest, I promised that every metre climbed would represent a voice for change," says Yeung. "This exhibition is that promise fulfilled, a reminder that healing begins when we stand together."
South Africans are encouraged to get involved, whether by donating to cover washing and packaging costs, supporting logistics for the upcoming national roadshow, or partnering to help expand the initiative's impact.
This is more than an exhibition. It's a national call to action wrapped in fabric, courage and the hope of a safer, more dignified future.
Event Details
Venue: Constitution Hill, Johannesburg
Dates: 26 November – 10 December 2025
Public Viewing: Daily, 9 am – 6 pm (during 16 Days of Activism)
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