MEC DANTJIE OPENS NEW SAFE HAVEN FOR GBV VICTIMS

By Petrus Siko

• The North West Social Development MEC, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, inaugurated a new safe house in Rustenburg, aimed at providing shelter and support services to victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Donated by Anglo American mining company, the facility offers trauma counselling, skills development, court preparation, and long-term accommodation to women and children in distress.
• The opening highlights the crucial role of partnerships between government and the private sector in addressing GBV and ensuring safe spaces for vulnerable community members.

In an effort to protect vulnerable women and children, North West Social Development MEC Basetsana Sussana Dantjie has opened a new gender-based violence (GBV) safe house in Rustenburg. Donated by the Anglo American mining company to the Department of Social Development in 2021, the safe house is designed to provide a range of services, including psychosocial support, trauma counselling, referrals, skills development, court preparation, long-term accommodation, and both prevention and aftercare services for victims of GBV in Rustenburg and surrounding areas.

Speaking at the official opening, MEC Dantjie emphasised that providing safe spaces for abused women and children allows them to share their experiences in safety and privacy. She noted that admission to the safe house would be for victims facing physical and life-threatening situations, including domestic violence.

“The opening of this safe haven will go down in history as a demonstration of what a mutual partnership between government and the private sector can achieve in changing the lives of those who need care and protection. We are humbled by the meaningful contribution that Anglo American has made in the fight against gender-based violence,” Dantjie said, to applause from various stakeholders and community members attending the event.

MEC Dantjie reiterated that the fight against gender-based violence cannot be won by the government alone. “All of us gathered here must lend a hand in combating this pandemic. Despite the remarkable strides that government has made, violence and the abuse of women and children persist, calling for the attention of every community member, the private sector, faith-based organisations, non-profit organisations, and the media.”

Tebogo Matolo, an Anglo American livelihood specialist, described gender-based violence as a global pandemic. “As a responsible corporate citizen, we felt it was imperative to join forces with the government. We acknowledge that an entity like Social Development alone cannot meet all the needs of citizens on the ground. When we donated the house, we noticed that Rustenburg did not have a centre of this nature to provide overnight accommodation for GBV victims,” Matolo explained, adding that the company also provides GBV training for all its employees.

The opening of the safe house drew significant attention from residents of GBV hotspot areas in Rustenburg, including Boitekong, Sunrise Park, Bokamoso, Tlhabane, Lethabong, Chaneng, Kroondal, Marikana, Lefaragatlhe, and neighbouring villages.

The establishment of the Rustenburg safe house is part of MEC Dantjie’s 100-day programme in office, which is being rolled out across the four district municipalities.