Zululand NPO calls for resources to fight gender-based violence

A local NPO, Stand-Out Foundation has called for an urgent need to challenge cultural norms that exacerbate toxic masculinity to address the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in communities.

The NPO was commenting on a recent incident where underaged children gave birth over the festive season.

With the 2025 academic year set to begin, the NPO said fears are mounting as last year, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli noted that educational establishments were among the public institutions where rapes were reported.

These included one at a crèche, 13 at schools and four at tertiary institutions.

NPO director Zandile Mthimkhulu believes the government took away powers from parents and gave more rights to children, hence the current situation.

“We are failing our children. When we grew up, we were worked hard, now if you do that to this current generation they say it is child abuse. We are not allowed to discipline our children,” said Mthimkhulu.

She added that the government should give more resources to NPOs to educate boys and men on how to handle themselves among women in communities.

“Sexual grooming behaviours by old men have been normalised and it happens in front of mothers. Now when these old men get a chance alone with children, it is easy to lure them because sexual comments were made in front of everyone,” said Mthimkhulu.

After a recent GBV incident, uMlalazi Mayor Queen Xulu sounded the alarm for women to break free from toxic relationships and shatter the cycle of gender-based violence.

She made this urgent call after the horrific murder of Nokubonga Mahaye (31) in Sunnydale.

It is alleged that Mahaye’s long-term boyfriend fatally assaulted her with a plank embedded with sharp nails.

According to family members, the couple’s relationship was marred by toxicity and alcohol abuse, with visible signs of violence evident in their home, which included broken windows and doors.

Xulu emphasised the need for young women to recognise the warning signs of abusive relationships rather than tolerating them under the guise of long-term commitment.

In 2023, uMfolozi Municipality was identified as a GBV hotspot by the Empangeni FCS unit.

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