Evander Court uses Mandela Day to educate public on court services

A notable feature of the day was the children’s court section, where the presence of dolls on the desks sparked curiosity among attendees.

July 31, 2025

Mphikeleli Masangu 1 minute read

Thandeka Nkosi and Kate Sangweni, employees of the Evander children's court used anatomical dolls to educate community on how children court handle the sexual offences involving children.

The Evander Magistrate’s Court marked International Mandela Day on July 18 by educating community members about court services and how the justice system operates.

A notable feature of the day was the children’s court section, where the presence of dolls on the desks sparked curiosity among attendees.

Thembi Msibi, an intermediary at the court, explained their use:

“These are anatomical dolls used in sexual offence cases involving children. They assist children in explaining what happened to them, especially when they struggle to verbalise their experiences.”

Advocate Tracy Keen-Horak provides information to the community members on how court works during the Mandela day celebration at the Evander court.

The dolls represent a full family setup, including figures of a grandfather, grandmother, parents, siblings, and extended family members, which helps child victims identify perpetrators in a safe, familiar context.

“These child-friendly dolls help bridge the communication gap. They allow children to express themselves more freely and help the court handle sensitive cases more effectively,” Msibi added.

She noted the Mandela Day initiative highlighted the ongoing need to raise public awareness about how courts function.

“We realised that there is still a lot of work to be done in helping our communities understand how the court works,” she said.