09/12/2025
Community Stands Together Against GBV in Phalaborwa
Kefilwe Safe Heaven, together with the Kuvoninga Foundation, SAPS, the Department of Social Development, Baphalaborwa Municipality, Namakgale community VEP and other partners, hosted a powerful event during the 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children._
The gathering, held in the heart of Phalaborwa—a region highlighted by Mopani District Municipality as the district’s hotspot for GBV—combined education, entertainment and a candle‑lighting ceremony to honour victims and survivors. The keynote speaker from the Department of Social Development emphasized this year’s theme, _End Digital Violence against Women and Children_, warning that social‑media platforms are increasingly used to lure, stalk and prey on women and children.
The keynote speaker highlighted that
Digital dangers: Predators exploit online spaces to coerce victims. Stalking and grooming via social media are forms of abuse that often go unreported.
Intimate‑partner violence: Physical, financial and emotional abuse remain the most common forms of GBV.
The speaker urged participants to recognize constant tension and controlling behaviour as red flags.
Consent is non‑negotiable: Even within relationships, consent must be clear, ongoing and freely given. Power imbalances lie at the heart of abuse.
Psychological abuse: Mind games, threats, gaslighting and manipulation are pervasive and often hidden behind a façade of normalcy.
Reporting and support: The Department of Social Development encourages anyone experiencing GBV to come forward. Shelters, hotlines and community organisations are available to provide assistance.
Participants were reminded that GBV is a societal issue that touches every family. By fostering awareness, challenging harmful norms and supporting survivors, the community can create safer environments for women and children.
The event concluded with a symbolic candle‑lighting, a reminder that each individual has has the right to safety
