Minister Fernandez launches new GBV shelter

On Friday, 26 March 2021, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, launched the newly established Marigold Safehouse in the Central Karoo.

The official launch of the Marigold Safehouse, is the first of six shelters that the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) with the support of its Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) partners, plans on opening throughout the year. 

“The provision of safe spaces for victims of gender-based violence is a crucial component of the Western Cape Government's effort to ensure that there are  support services for victims of gender-based violence.

The opening of this new shelter will go a long way to ensuring that women and children who have been victims of violence and abuse in the Central- Karoo area, no longer have nowhere to turn,” said Minister Fernandez.

“I would like to thank the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for availing six properties in rural areas across the Western Cape to be used as safe spaces for victims of violence and abuse. 

I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to our NPO partners, all social workers, the NPA, the SAPS, Community Police Forums, Neighbourhood Watches , communities and all other stakeholders who contribute to supporting victims of Gender-based Violence and ensuring that we work together to eradicate this scourge,” added Minister Fernandez.

The provincial DSD has partnered with Families South Africa Western Cape (FAMSA), a NPO that specialises in rendering Family Preservation Services, and retail outlet Shoprite to provide emergency shelter accommodation to victims of crime and violence, and their children, in a crisis where their safety is at risk in the Central Karoo area.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between DSD and DPWI came after the initial announcement by the National Minister of Public Works, on the 4th of March 2020, that six National Government-owned properties in the Western Cape would be made available as safe havens for women and children.

Marigold Safehouse is also the first to be opened in the country, following all the respective properties made by DPWI for gender-based violence safe houses in all the Provinces.

The criteria to be admitted to the Marigold Safehouse in the Central-Karoo are as follows:

• Experiencing physical & life-threatening circumstances
• Victims of intimate partner violence
• Victims of Domestic violence
• Victims of Sexual & Physical Assault
• All denominations, races and cultures

“One woman and/or child violated, is one too many. By working together, we can have #Onevoice united against gender-based violence- 365 days of the year”, concluded, Minister Fernandez.

For more information:

We would also like to remind the public that the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre 0800 428 428 is accessible 24 hours a day, to assist with GBV cases.

We urge the public to access credible information on https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/coronavirus

For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below or contact us on our hotline number on 0800 220 250, to be connected to your nearest local office.

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development