CAPE TOWN-Two local residents are hoping to have a positive impact in the lives of women who are suffering in silence at the hands of gender-based violence (GBV).
So far 138 volunteers, the largest cohort to date, joined the Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (DSD) GBV Ambassador programme on Monday 8 September.
It was announced at the launch that Retreat has 10 new GBV Ambassadors while Mitchells Plain received 26 new members.
Monique Mortlock-Malgas, spokesperson for the DSD, says: “These volunteers will assist DSD by providing information about support services available to survivors of abuse and domestic violence and help in raising awareness in their communities. They will also do referrals of domestic violence cases to the South African Police Service and local DSD offices. Some ambassadors will also volunteer at their nearest police station’s victim-friendly facilities.”
People’s Post spoke with two ambassadors Nicole Jacobus and Colette Khatib.
Jacobus matriculated from Grassy Park High School and says she was “practically born into community work”.
“My father and late mother were both involved in what was then called civil protection, now known as disaster risk management. From a young age, I accompanied them everywhere, and their dedication inspired me to follow the same path. I have always been rooted in my community.”
She currently serves as the chair of the Grassy Park Community Police Forum (CPF).
“This work is not for the faint-hearted. From dealing with accidents and fires to crowd control and ongoing community engagement, it requires both resilience and passion.
“For me, the reward is in being able to serve and make a difference in the very area I call home. I also believe that educational drives and awareness campaigns are essential in strengthening communities. To every young or older woman, my message is: you are not alone, and you do not need to suffer in silence — there are services and people ready to assist you,” she says.
Jacobus says one of the proudest moments she experienced at the launch was seeing nine ladies and one man, all from Grassy Park, become GBV Ambassadors.
“At the launch, I was moved to see that men from other areas have also joined the initiative. It makes me proud to know there are men who truly care and are willing to stand up for our women.”
Khatib is a retired widow and mother who has resided in Ferness Estate, Ottery, for the past 30 years.
She attended EC Primary School until Grade 7 but could not enroll for high school due to financial challenges at home.
“My work journey started when I was 13 years old and worked in a factory where my mother had previously worked. I worked in about two factories, then moved on to work in a jewellery factory, where I stayed until I got married and had my first child,” she recalls.
Khatib is the secretary of her local neighbourhood watch.
She says she was inspired and moved by the testimonies of the other GBV candidates and how “broken our society is”.
“Many women that face GBV are challenged to take further action due to financial constraints, the fear of starting over, the fear of further victimisation and rejection by society. I know that this is an open door for me to assist where I can, even if it is just one person to start with. To bring complete healing just to one human being out there will have a ripple effect to help many broken people out there,” Khatib says.
The influx of new ambassadors into the programme is a promising sign when it comes to combatting GBV, explains Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt.
“The fact that we have even more residents raising their hands to be part of this programme shows the impact that current GBV Ambassadors are having in their respective communities.
“This is exactly what the DSD is aiming for: to encourage residents to stand with us against abuse and violence in all its forms. We are creating a movement, one of hope and of peace.
“Thank you to these incredible ambassadors for availing themselves to a cause that seeks not only to prevent GBV, but to strengthen support for survivors by offering them a safe space and easier pathways to support services,” he says.
To access more information about services offered by the Department for GBV victims, call the toll-free number on 0800 220 250, send an email to SD.CustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za or visit:https://www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development/service/victim-empowerment-programme.
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