Partnership gives new hope to GBV survivors in Kempton Park

With the number of women affected by gender-based violence (GBV) continuing to rise each year, Mamie’s Angels Centre in Kempton Park remains committed to supporting, empowering and uplifting survivors.

The organisation provides women with the resources, skills and confidence needed to rebuild their lives and regain independence.

Mamie’s Angels focuses on awareness, education and practical skill-building, ensuring survivors are not only safe but also emotionally supported and economically empowered.

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Through workshops, community outreach, counselling support and vocational training, the centre helps women reclaim their power and establish pathways toward self-sufficiency.

The organisation recently partnered with 1000Women1Voice after connecting at a #HearMeToo community-awareness event. The collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to amplifying women’s voices and addressing the widespread impact of GBV.

“Both organisations believe in dignity, safety and long-term empowerment for women. We share a commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse through awareness, access to resources and economic opportunities.

“Our goal is the same: to ensure that women have the support they need not just to leave an abusive relationship, but to thrive afterwards,” said 1000Women GBV first responder in Gauteng, Francine Nzika.

Nzika said women continue to face multiple challenges, including financial dependence, lack of safe spaces, stigma, emotional trauma and limited job skills. Many also struggle to navigate legal processes, secure protection orders or find sustainable employment, barriers that often trap them in abusive environments.

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Through their partnership, Mamie’s Angels Centre and 1000Women1Voice have expanded awareness campaigns, improved access to support programmes and created new opportunities for survivors to receive training and counselling. Their combined efforts have allowed them to reach more women, especially in under-resourced communities.

One standout moment for both organisations was supporting a young mother who completed their skills programme and went on to earn a consistent income through a small craft business.

She shared that she no longer feared returning to her abuser because she could now provide for her children independently, a transformation that reinforced the purpose behind their work.

“Empowerment looks like a woman having her own income, her own voice and her own choices. It means making decisions without fear, providing for herself and her children and belonging to a community that believes in her,” Nzika said.

Mamie’s Angels Centre is currently running GBV prevention workshops during the 16 Days of Activism, vocational training in crafts and sewing, small-business development sessions, emotional support circles, mentorship programmes and economic empowerment initiatives. They also host outreach campaigns in schools and communities to promote anti-bullying education, respect and kindness.

In 2026, the centre plans to launch the Men Matter programme, an initiative of 1000Women1Voice that focuses on the role of men in families and their relationships with their children. The programme includes short educational videos followed by discussion sessions.

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“These are the men and boys who could one day be accused of abuse. We do not want to leave them behind,” Nzika said.

The organisation also provides trauma-informed emotional support, practical skills for income generation and a network of sisterhood where women uplift each other.

“With the Men Matter programme coming next year, we are developing a skills-to-market pipeline, helping women not only create products but also sell them through local markets and online platforms.

“We are also expanding our community ambassador programme, training more women to serve as leaders and advocates against GBV,” Nzika added.