SHELTER INDABA OPENS WITH RENEWED CALL TO STRENGTHEN GBV RESPONSE

By Precious Mupenzi.

• The Indaba opened with a strong call for unity between government, civil society, and donors to strengthen South Africa’s shelter system for Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivors.
• Delegates celebrated milestones such as the “Turning the Tide” Handbook’s international recognition, expanded advocacy reach, and deepened partnerships advancing the GBV response.
• ⁠Through film discussions and interactive workshops, the Indaba emphasised the importance of caregiver well-being, survivor reintegration, and inclusive, trauma-informed leadership.

The 5th National Shelter Indaba officially opened yesterday in Johannesburg, bringing together government representatives, civil society organisations, donor partners, and shelter practitioners from across South Africa to strengthen and expand the country’s sheltering system for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The three-day engagement, which concludes on 13 November 2025, provides a vital platform for reflection, collaboration, and action under the theme “Sheltering and Beyond: Building Bridges of Prevention and Intervention.”
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr Sibusiso Malope, representing the Department of Social Development’s Victim Empowerment Directorate, underscored the indispensable role that shelters play in South Africa’s response to gender-based violence (GBV). He described shelters not only as essential, life-saving havens providing immediate physical safety, but also as crucial pathways leading survivors towards healing, empowerment, and eventual independence.
Mr Malope emphasised that the effectiveness of sheltering services relies on a collective approach, highlighting the need for sustainable funding and robust partnerships between government entities and civil society organisations. He commended the unwavering commitment, resilience, and innovative spirit displayed by shelter practitioners, who persist in their efforts despite operating under challenging circumstances and with often limited resources. According to Mr Malope, these dedicated individuals and the shelters they support are fundamental to saving lives and fostering long-term recovery for survivors of GBV.
Mr Malope further reiterated the importance of aligning the Indaba’s outcomes with Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF, which focuses on response, care, support, and healing. He urged delegates to develop practical, survivor-centred solutions that improve access to well-resourced and coordinated shelter services in every province and community.
The Department of Social Development extended appreciation to its partners, including the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA), the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and other donor agencies for their continued collaboration in strengthening the national response to GBVF.

Setting the Tone

Ms Fatima Mamod representing the NSMSA Board, chaired the opening session and extended a formal welcome to delegates, emphasising an environment focused on learning, renewal, and collective commitment. Ms. Greer Schoeman, also of the NSMSA Board, joined Mr. Malope in reviewing the progress achieved since the previous Indaba, highlighting the shared responsibility to uphold the rights and protection of survivors.

Achievements, Milestones and Innovation in Sheltering

Delegates revisited the 2024 resolutions and milestones, celebrating tangible progress made across all nine resolutions adopted at last year’s Indaba. Among the key highlights was the publication of the “Turning the Tide” Action Learning Handbook, which has since been presented on the global stage in Sydney, reflecting South Africa’s growing leadership in the sheltering space.
The sector also strengthened its public education and advocacy footprint through 44 webinars and 25 media engagements, helping to raise national awareness around the rights and services available to survivors of gender-based violence.
Economic empowerment remained a central pillar, with ongoing financial literacy training initiatives and a strategic partnership with SPAR to support women’s entrepreneurship and income generation. In addition, advocacy efforts intensified to secure funding for shelters at risk of closure, particularly in Gauteng, and to address compliance barriers that hinder their sustainability. Collaboration between the Department of Social Development (DSD), Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), and other partners also deepened demonstrating a united front in advancing South Africa’s coordinated GBVF response.

Film Screening Sparks Honest Conversations

A powerful short film titled “Dorpie” set the emotional tone for the day, portraying the intertwined realities of trauma, healing, and resilience in small-town South Africa. The screening inspired an impassioned panel discussion moderated by Adv. Bernadine Bachar, featuring Rosaline Bailey, Sindisiwe Msimango, and Norma Mbele, each bringing a unique perspective from decades of work within the GBV sector.
Bailey, who has worked extensively in shelter management and policy advocacy, cautioned that the success of South Africa’s GBV response will depend on how well the sector cares for the caregivers themselves. “We cannot pour from an empty cup,” she said. “Our social workers, counsellors, and shelter managers are often carrying trauma that mirrors that of the survivors they serve. Building resilient systems starts with supporting those who hold the front line.”
Msimango focused on accountability, calling for stronger collaboration between shelters, the criminal justice system, and community structures. “We need to move beyond working in silos. Survivors should not be retraumatised by the very systems meant to protect them,” she argued. She emphasised the need for proper case follow-ups, stronger referrals, and an integrated database to track survivors’ progress from crisis to recovery.
Mbele, drawing from her experience in community development, highlighted the importance of localised prevention models and post-shelter reintegration support. “Many survivors return to the same environments that caused their pain,” she said. “If we don’t strengthen prevention, economic empowerment, and mental health services at community level, we are only offering temporary relief.” The discussion resonated deeply with delegates, sparking reflections on how the sector can balance compassion with systemic change.
Moderator Bachar concluded by affirming that : “shelters are not only spaces of safety but platforms for transformation. Healing is political, personal, and practical and it starts here.”

Workshops Inspire Innovation and Inclusion

Delegates later participated in three interactive workshops designed to deepen practice and strengthen leadership within the shelter sector.
•⁠ ⁠Mr Thabo Shange from Sesame International, led a session focused on engaging children in learning through play to overcome adverse childhood experiences and build resilience.
•⁠ ⁠Another explored the Action Learning GBV Shelter Leadership Model, facilitated by Ms Sima Diar from the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development.
•⁠ ⁠Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower of OUT LGBT Well-being, addressed LGBTQIA+ inclusion within sheltering spaces, urging delegates to adopt an intersectional approach to survivor care.
Each session encouraged inclusive, survivor-centred approaches to service delivery and highlighted the importance of adaptive leadership in strengthening South Africa’s GBVF response.

Carrying the Momentum Forward

Day one concluded with reflections from Ms Rosaline Bailey of the NSMSA, who encouraged delegates to carry the energy and unity of purpose into the remaining days of the Indaba.
“Our task is to ensure that the bridges we build between prevention, protection, and empowerment are strong enough to carry every survivor to safety and independence,” she said.
The Indaba continues until 13 November 2025, with upcoming sessions expected to unpack shelter funding models, integrated referral systems, and strategies to align the sector’s work with the NSP GBVF’s objectives, ensuring that inclusion remains central to South Africa’s collective fight against gender-based violence.