West Coast residents step up against GBV
The West Coast is the latest region to benefit from the Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Ambassador programme.
On 14 November, the department launched the 14th and 15th GBV Ambassador programmes for the Western Cape – in the Matzikama and Cederberg municipal areas respectively.
The 41 volunteers (26 in Matzikama and 15 in Cederberg) will assist DSD by providing information about support services available to survivors of abuse and domestic violence and help in raising awareness in their communities.
Lutzville GBV Ambassador, Jane Skippers, has been active for many years in her community assisting survivors of domestic violence and abuse. “I have a love for our people and I am involved in helping survivors. With the training I received from the department, I am empowered to become even more involved and to delve deeper into helping my community.”
Another GBV Ambassador, Hilda-Ester Job from Lambert’s Bay, said after retiring as a teacher, she still felt the need to give back to her community and that is why she joined the programme. “Thumbs up to DSD Clanwilliam that guided us with training. I want to encourage other residents to get involved, whether to help a child, a woman, or a man who doesn’t have a voice. You can be the voice for your community.”
The latest cohort of volunteers brings the GBV Ambassador total to over 650 ambassadors across the province.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said, “With the launch of these GBV Ambassador programmes in Matzikama and Cederberg, we are doing more than raising awareness, we are empowering ordinary residents to become beacons of change in their communities. These ambassadors are the frontline of hope: standing with survivors, guiding them toward support, and helping to break the silence around abuse. Their commitment strengthens our hand as the Western Cape Government, helping us to build a safer, more compassionate province.”
GBV Ambassador programmes are operating in:
- Swartland
- Delft
- Grabouw
- Philippi
- Heinz Park
- Ceres
- Central Karoo district
- Cape Metro North (Dunoon, Bishop Lavis, Langa, Elsies River, and Fisantekraal)
- Berg River
- Metro South (Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Heideveld, Wynberg, Lavender Hill, Philippi, Steenberg, Retreat, and Gugulethu)
- Metro East (Kraaifontein, Khayelitsha, Eerste River, Mfuleni, and Somerset West)
- Cape Winelands and Overberg regions (Bonnievale, Ashton, Robertson, McGregor, and Zolani)
- Klein Karoo (Oudtshoorn, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Dysselsdorp, and Zoar)
To access more information about services offered by the Department for GBV victims, call our toll-free number on 0800 220 250, send an email to SD.CustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za or visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development/service/victim-empowerment-programme
Media Enquiries
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt
Department of Social Development
Email: Monique.Mortlock@westerncape.gov.za