A ‘shero’ on a mission to give abuse survivors a fresh start
Zululand's biggest 'shero' Sharon Mdletshe has dedicated his life to community work, supporting charities and fighting crime
Even in the golden years of her retirement, community worker Sharon Mdletshe has not lost momentum.
In fact, she is even more fired up and eager to have her shelter for abused women and children open by the 16 Days of Activism Campaign in November.
The 67 year old has dedicated her life to community work, supporting charities, fighting crime and standing up against the abuse of women and children.
She has also been hailed as Zululand’s biggest ‘shero’.
Having taken nine years to establish the Eagle’s Wings Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Sharon never lost hope that she would see the realisation of her dream to have a centre dedicated to empowering women and helping them rebuild their lives after loss and abuse.
As she rallies support for the final touches to open the doors in the coming months, Sharon says she could never have done her community work without the support of local businesses and individuals every step of the way.
What began as a simple desire to give victims of rape and domestic violence a safe and private place to report their cases, has grown into a centre built through years of sacrifice, determination and community support.
Who is Sharon Mdletshe?
Sharon’s journey began in 2000 when she joined the Richards Bay CPF under then chairman Dave Savides.
By 2006, she was working outside the CPF but remained deeply involved in helping victims of abuse.
Recognising the need for privacy when victims opened cases, she approached the then General Langa, who provided an office at the police station where victims could open rape and domestic violence cases away from the public.
But Sharon’s commitment to the cause came at a devastating personal cost.
In 2010, she was attacked and shot at in her own home in front of her children.
Following the attack, the family had to move into the police station after the gunmen continued returning in apparent attempts to ‘finish the job’.
The very office Sharon had fought to secure for victims became their temporary home.
Sleeping at the police station with her family proved extremely difficult with the 24-hour nature of the station.
Eventually, with the help of her sister-in-law, Sharon and her children found somewhere else to live.
By 2016, she had returned home and decided to sacrifice part of her property to create a dedicated abuse centre away from the police station, where victims could be accommodated safely and with dignity.
Despite the years of hard work, Sharon continued with fundraising efforts and seeking sponsorship for the project that is so close to her heart.
She also helps families through her Ubutu Club, supporting them with groceries and helping residents attend to challenges relating to social ills.
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