MENDING THREADS: WEAVING HOPE AND HEALING THROUGH EMBROIDERY

By Pricilla Seamelando.

• Through its embroidered miniature shelters, Mending Threads offered a compelling visual metaphor for survival, turning painful experiences into vivid symbols of courage, dignity, and renewal.
• Survivor voices, including those documented in Raising Women’s Voices in South Africa, brought emotional depth to the installation and reminded participants of the transformative power of storytelling.
• ⁠The interactive messages written by Indaba attendees created a collective expression of solidarity, reinforcing that healing is a shared responsibility that communities must actively uphold.

As South Africa prepares to observe the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, a powerful and deeply moving project has emerged, shedding light on the resilience of survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Nell-Louise Pollock’s Mending Threads, showcased at the 5th Annual National Shelter Indaba (11-13 November 2025, Birchwood Hotel and O R Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, Ekhurhuleni), hosted by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the National Shelter Movement South Africa (NSMSA), serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope can still be stitched into the fabric of our communities.
Imagine miniature shelters, adorned with intricate embroidery, each thread a testament to the strength and resilience of GBVF survivors. These tiny sanctuaries hold within them stories of survival, of courage, and of the indomitable human spirit. As you gaze upon them, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe at the power of the human heart.
The Indaba focused on “Sheltering and Beyond: Building Bridges of Prevention and Intervention,” highlighting the need for sustainable, integrated, and coordinated support for GBVF survivors. Mending Threads beautifully embodies this vision, using art not only as a form of expression but as a catalyst for community engagement, healing and change.
Pollock’s project drew inspiration from historical rosettes worn by women fighting for their right to vote, symbolizing the power of giving voice to the silenced. “I wanted to create a platform where GBVF survivors’ voices could be heard, just like the rosettes gave women a voice in the past,” she said. She wore a black and white ribbon rosette with red embroidery, matching the fabric from her shelter project, as an emblem on her chest.
The project features stories collected by the National Shelter Movement, published in “Raising Women’s Voices in South Africa”. These stories, shared with Pollock, highlight the power of storytelling in healing and recovery. “I am healing out loud, because I nearly died in silence,” says Shirley Jones-Luke, a survivor of GBV.
Indaba participants were invited to add their own reflections by writing messages of support on paper houses and hanging them on Pollock’s miniature shelters. These messages featuring beautiful script handwriting and thick red thread, created a collective visual poem of hope, empathy and commitment. “Their stories and messages remind us that healing is possible, and we all have a role in creating a safer community,” Pollock said.

Mending Threads ultimately stands as a testament to the impact of community-driven initiatives in addressing GBVF. We can all play a role in creating a safer, more supportive community. Here’s how you can get involved:
•⁠ ⁠Support local shelters and organizations working to address GBVF
•⁠ ⁠Share the stories of survivors and amplify their voices
•⁠ ⁠Use your skills and talents to create art, write, or speak out against GBVF
•⁠ ⁠Donate to organizations providing support services for GBVF survivors
Let’s weave a tapestry of hope, one thread at a time. Let’s work together to build a society where women and children can live without fear of violence.