Disele May Foundation (DMF) advocates for a GBVF-free society
A life of advocating for and empowering the community for the betterment of its people
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) launched the gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) advisory committee this year in Women’s Month on August 25.
Disele Mokgatlhe May from Winchester Hills was appointed to represent GBVF in her region, which is Region F, south of Johannesburg.
On December 4, May with the partnership of various stakeholders launched 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in Bellavista, Johannesburg south.
“The reason for the launch in Bellavista is that I felt that some racial groups and the LGBTQI+ community were left out, and this is where I want to tap into,” explained May.
GVBF continues to affect societies across the globe, and South Africa is no exception. The scourge is regarded as a human rights violation, a major barrier to achieving gender equality and an obstacle to a country’s development.
She shares her journey
May is a businesswoman and survivor of abuse and domestic violence, which led to her interest in the empowerment of economically marginalised groups, which include victims of abuse and convicted felons. Her inspiration came from her hardships, and she has been passionate about addressing issues in her community since 2014.
“On August 9, 2006, I left my matrimonial home, running away from my abusive ex-husband, a prison official at Sun City/Johannesburg Correctional Service, to a shelter of women and children abuse, NISAA in Lenasia south.
“The abuse left me with severe injuries of permanent chronic pain and mental health conditions, anxiety, and PTSD. I lost my best friend who was murdered – shot at close range in front of their daughter and her family in 2006 by a prison warder official. This shows the struggle women face daily with GBVF. This is what led me to start my organisation to assist other women with the help I never got,” said May.
In 2015, inmates nominated her as a mediator and social activist to stand in the gap between perpetrators and victims in the community. This led to the realisation of the need to establish a legacy foundation, the Disele May Foundation (DMF). Its mandate is to campaign for a society free from gender-based violence, crime and poverty.
Each year, the Disele May Foundation strives to partner with relevant players with a specific gender-based violence and femicide focus, strongly believing their participation in this event would add to its global relevance.
Contribution to ending GBVF
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international annual campaign kicking off on November 25 and lasts until December 10. The Disele May Foundation advocates for 365 days of activism for no violence against women and children abuse in the fight against GBVF – from awareness to accountability.
Every year, this United Nations campaign focuses on a specific theme. This year’s theme is ‘Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls’.
The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year’s campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.
The DMF would like to bring different stakeholders on board, such NPOs business, attorneys, doctors, parolees, probationers, previously incarcerated, government departments, politicians, members of the community, private sectors, SANCO and media, leaving no one behind.
The mission and vision
DMF, in partnership with the city Region F coordinator Litshani Sidimela, aims to implement different programmes and workshops, including the national strategic plan from the beginning of 2024 and is looking forward to more stakeholders, funders and sponsors to donate resources and joining hands.
“We are working from home and need office space and marketing materials. Any contributions will help us reach our goal, be sustainable and make an impact within our community,” highlighted May.
The foundation and launch not only focus on GBVF but also crime, behaviour change, bullying, teenage pregnancy and inequalities.
“We need to raise more public awareness on this issue in a series of interactive interventions, also acknowledging the importance of engaging men and boys at all levels of gender-based violence prevention and response strategies.
“We need more male champion speakers to hear stories of positive masculinity and strategies to involve men in the fight against GBV in homes, governments and the private sector. It is time to challenge the patriarchal culture and to be anti-violence allies,” she added.
A launch of change
On behalf of the organising partners, Disele May Foundation and the CoJ Social Development, May thanked everyone who made it to the first launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in the Johannesburg south area. Without the helping hands, the event was going to be impossible.
The launch included speakers such as Pastor Joe from Founder Fountain of Praise Ministries International, who has dedicated his leadership, guidance and sharing messages of hope and love, and also Clr Rashida Landis, who honoured the invitation and supported the launch.
Among those supporting the launch was NPA Community Prosecution Initiative respresentative Lukas Smith, Founder of Trinity Women’s Movement Jeanette Sebola, DMF Youth Intiative Activist Phemelo May, Mrs Township SA 2024 Finalist Dalphine Marshall and founder of Brothers4Sister Chief Mokhele, the Ward 55 community, Bellavista Clinic management and Booysens SAPS station commander Brigadier Jones.
For more information, contact Disele May Foundation on 064 551 9736 or diselemayfoundation@gmail.com.
