GBV has taken a turn for the worse as cases continue to increase at a concerning rate including in rural areas. Recently a young girl from EmaXesibeni was violated and brutally raped, another still EmaXesibeni raped by a pastor, 2 girls in Mbizana raped and the other impregnated by a pastor, a 5-year-old brutally gang-raped to death allegedly by her step brother and village boys in Mbizana as informed during a community outreach program, a girl from Umthatha after years of abuse was reportedly shot dead allegedly by the boyfriend. These are some of the many cases of GBV that are increasing at a worrisome rate across the country including in rural areas. One of the challenges in most rural areas is the absence of police stations and structured victim support systems.
At the bail hearings of the two cases in EmaXesibeni which were held yesterday, South African Royal Princesses Network was represented by Princess Noloyiso Kafu who mobilised support and marched against these crimes working with other stakeholders including communities and to support the families of the victims. The message is clear, “No bail for the perpetrators and justice for the victims”.
Fighting this pandemic requires various stakeholders to work together. In an effort to address this pandemic, the South African Royal Princesses Network (SARPN) in partnership with the Princess Gabo Foundation and the Office of the Premier in Free State will host a national royal women imbizo that will address GBV in Thaba Nchu, Free State on 29-30 April 2022. The message is clear, “No to GBV. Enough is enough. Working together we can overcome this pandemic”. Nkosikazi Nobhongo Ngonyama will represent the Eastern Cape Provincial House of Traditional Leaders at the Imbizo. Delivering the key note addressed will be the premier of Free State, Sisi Ntombela. Speaking will also be the MeC of Social Development in Free State.
In the pipeline is the proposed Road Show in the Alfred Nzo region with various stakeholders to create awareness of GBV and workshops. SARPN has hosted workshops on GBV at schools, recently in Ntsikayezwe SSS in March. The Mpondo Reed Dance was also utilised as a platform to educate the maidens about GBV. It is anticipated that also during the upcoming Mpondo Reed dance in September in Ntabankulu, GBV awareness and advocacy will form part of the agenda. SAPRN will be donating dignity packs and has arranged with an institution to assist the families of victims with cancelling and victims with post-trauma cancelling. SARPN is also working on donations for the victims of floods in KZN and Mbizana.
