Skills development as a tool to combat GBV

On Friday the 29th of August, Generation Gender hosted a life changing event and the audience was filled with learners from Nozuko Senior Secondary School, A.V Plaatjie Senior Secondary School. Representatives from  Higher Health, TB HIV Care, KSD College, Department of Education officials, as well as survivors of GBV were the guest speakers for the day at Wonk’mntu Hall, Mthatha. 

The programme started off with a peer-led showcase by the learners of A.V Plaatjie Senior Secondary School.  The play highlighted the following themes; Domestic Abuse, discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, learner pregnancy and alcohol abuse. Lathitha Ndambu (16) from A.V Plaatjie Senior Secondary School played a lead role of a learner pregnant at school, the play showcased bullying that led the pregnant character to commit suicide as she was not accepted and overlooked by her peers. She described getting into character and said “The  themes of our play are based on  the realities we experience in our homes, I have observed some of the abuse in my community and this is how I was able to play my character so well.”

Chumani Dangwa (28) is a Learner Supporting Agent (LSA) from A.V Plaatjie Senior Secondary School, he narrated the play for the audience. He described the role of an LSA as a way to provide support to learners who are facing social ills “Our focus is to identify the OVC (orphan and vulnerable child) at school, we use peer-to-peer approach through the arts to teach about social ills in our communities. Our learners educate one another as we believe it is better for other learners to be attentive and encouraging when their own peers come up with topics such as GBV. As LSAs we are also a safe space for any GBV report, we offer food to fight malnutrition and our clothing bank is that here for those who need support.” 

Entrepreneurship skills are a powerful tool to equip people to make their own money and be independent individuals who can support themselves and not rely on abusive partners who can use relying on them as a way to own and control their lives. Entrepreneurship skills can also alleviate poverty in our communities. 

Simanawe Mental Health group from a women led NGO based in Qumbu, Bongiwe Poyo (40) described Simanawe Mental Health as a way to assist in fighting the stigma on dementia “The elderly who suffer from dementia are often victims in our communities and they are blamed for being witches as some may speak about people who have already passed on and speak about them as if they are still with us.”  Simanawe Mental Health group educates our rural communities about mental health. 

On mental health issues,  Yonela Genu (34)  a GenG champion said “Generation G prioritizes mental health because people tend to resort to violent behavior as a way to dismiss their issues affecting their mental health. Substance abuse is very much linked to mental health issues and a large contributor to gender based violence. It is therefore important that mental health is taken care of, in order to reduce social ills in society.”

The event ended with words of encouragement from one the survivors of GBV, Rev Afika Nwabisa Mbixane (41)  shared her story and made it clear that she is no longer a survivor  but rather an overcomer now, she no longer lets her past control her, she praised the Generation G event and said “As an overcomer of GBV, events such as these hosted by like Generation G keep me motivated and inspired, I am building my confidence through initiatives like these ones.” 

Cebisa Ximbi (30) is a new member who has been with GenG for 3 months shared why it is important for young people to find initiatives like Generation G and said “I always encourage young people to be part of such initiatives like GenG because most of the victims are young people, the more we work with young people it changes their mindsets around toxicity that is seen as norms in our communities, patriarchy and other social norms.” 

The Generation Gender had the entire audience inspired to create change and be the change in our communities. The audience could not stop talking about how inspirational the day was.