“I honestly don’t even know where to start… The amount of support me and my family have been given by Kwanele far exceeded our expectations as a family during a very difficult time. From the day I requested for assistance via Facebook, I have never felt so empowered to further assist my niece in ensuring that her perpetrator goes behind bars.

I was referred to this organisation by a friend who went through a terrible time in her life, she assured me that I would get all the help I’ll need for the case through this foundation, she was not wrong. The person who contacted me from the organisation has been like a big sister, trusted friend and protector throughout. No matter what concerns I have , big or small she is always a phone call away to assist me and goes all out to even meet up at court.

I think I wouldn’t have the strength to even support my niece had it not been for Kwanele. I am humbled at your work ethic, the kind of respect you give to victims and their families.

If you are reading this and are scared to get justice for yourself or loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact Kwanele. As God is my witness, you will get the help you need from them and will never feel like you’re alone.

Thank you team Kwanele. May you help many more people in South Africa and beyond.”

“Sizakele was proud of her identity as a lesbian and had built a supportive circle of friends who loved and accepted her for who she was. They’d been attending a local LGBTQ+ event, celebrating love and unity within the community. As she was walking home, she was brutally attacked and raped by a stranger. Overwhelmed by fear, confusion, and anger, she felt lost and violated, not knowing where to turn for help.

Feeling isolated and afraid to disclose her assault, Sizakele decided to reach out to Kwanele. We responded with empathy and care, offering resources and guidance on how to navigate the aftermath of such a traumatic experience. It provided her with information on reporting the crime to the police and seeking medical attention, all while emphasizing that what had happened was not her fault.

Sizakele gathered the strength to report the rape to the local authorities. However, when she arrived at the police station, she faced an unexpected wave of discrimination. The officers made derogatory remarks about her sexual orientation, casting judgment on her identity rather than focusing on her traumatic experience. It was a heartbreaking and unjust situation that left her feeling even more vulnerable.

Refusing to be silenced by the prejudice she encountered, Sizakele turned to Kwanele once again… Kwanele connected her with a legal advocacy group specialising in LGBTQ+ rights.

With the support of the advocacy group, Sizakele bravely pursued a complaint against the police officers who had subjected her to discrimination. This case drew attention to the need for improved training on LGBTQ+ issues within the police force, prompting discussions and reforms within the department.”

“Thandiwe was a strong and independent woman who worked tirelessly to support her family after her husband had tragically passed away a few years earlier. Thandiwe’s brother, Sipho, was not only her sibling but also her closest confidant. They shared a bond that was unbreakable, and he had become the primary caregiver for her two young children since her husband’s death.

One fateful evening, as Thandiwe was returning home from work, she received a call that would shatter her world. It was the police, informing her that Sipho had been murdered by his girlfriend, Nomsa. The gruesome details emerged: Nomsa had demanded more money to go drinking, and when Sipho refused, a heated argument had erupted. In a fit of rage, she had taken a life that meant the world to Thandiwe.

In the ensuing days, Thandiwe’s grief was compounded by the shock of the court’s decision. Nomsa was sentenced to just eight years in prison. The court cited Nomsa’s lack of previous criminal offenses and the fact that she had young children of her own as reasons for the lenient sentence. It seemed like a miscarriage of justice, as Sipho had been not only the children’s main caregiver but also a beloved figure in their lives.

Desperate for help and support, Thandiwe turned to the Kwanele App and whats app line, which had recently introduced resources to assist survivors and families affected by gender-based violence. Through the whats app, she found a community of individuals who understood her pain and frustration. It offered her emotional support and connected her with legal experts who could help her appeal the court’s decision.

Thandiwe’s determination to seek justice for her brother and ensure that her children received the love and care they deserved was unwavering. With the assistance Kwanele and the guidance of legal experts, she embarked on a journey to challenge the court’s decision and raise awareness about the importance of fair sentencing for perpetrators of gender-based violence.”

““He would call me to tell me I’ll be found dead; he’ll shoot me.” Lerato would hear this on the other end of the phone when her stalker managed to track her down again. She was a hard-working matric pupil with big dreams when the stalking and threats started in 2022. “The first time he met me, I was on my way to school. I had my uniform on.” 

He became obsessed. He followed Lerato while she walked alone to the bus stop. She told him numerous times she was uninterested in any form of relationship. Despite her firm stance, he kept following her to and from school. One morning, with a brave face, she confronted the older man. Lerato eventually gave him her number to get him off her back, but little did she know the nightmare was only about to start. It went on for months. He even paid community members to get more information about her whereabouts. He threatened to harm her ailing grandmother and her ill mom, threw bottles on her corrugated iron roof at night, jumped their gate, broke into her room, and often listened to her conversations at night while hiding in the bushes.

The stalker was never arrested, and he is still a free man. He is, however, under investigation for assaulting Lerato’s male friend for simply greeting her in his presence. “The police were called one night, but they didn’t come. My family had to go and fetch the police. What hurts me the most is that the police had a car but didn’t want to come. I don’t know if they were on a tea break or something?”

The stalker still calls her. He called her just last night. She now counts on Kwanele to help her respond to her desperate cries for help, seeing she’s given up on the police. 

These days, Lerato sleeps with a tazer in her hand and her phone, where she can request help from Kwanele.

Lerato hopes and prays that one day her nightmare will stop and she can rest at night like any young woman trying to make a better life for herself and her family.”