Hope House's Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

In the heart of Cape Town's communities, a quiet revolution is taking place. Since 2004, Hope House Counselling Centre has stood as a beacon of hope for survivors of gender-based violence, offering donation-based counselling and support to those who need it most. During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we sat down with Deputy Director Natalie Doman at their Kuils River center to discuss the challenging but vital work they do every day.

PICTURED: From left: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine Roberts and Nosi Sogoni; Deputy Director of Hope House, 

Natalie Doman

More Than Just Physical Violence

When most people think of gender-based violence, they picture physical abuse, but as the team at Hope House emphasises, the reality is far more complex. Gender-based violence encompasses emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, financial control, and gaslighting—forms of harm that often leave no visible scars but can be equally devastating.

"Our people understand GBV as just physical abuse, but there's different types," explains Vatiswa Sobezo, a social worker at the Khayelitsha center. "You get your emotional abuse when someone abuses you emotionally by using words. And you also get your psychological abuse where they play with your mind to try and convince you that you're not worth it and you're nothing without me."

This manipulation keeps many survivors trapped, unable to recognize the abuse for what it is. The question becomes: How do we equip people to identify these subtler forms of violence?

The Challenge of Recognition

One of Hope House's primary goals is helping survivors recognise abuse in all its forms. Many people, especially from older generations and certain communities, have been conditioned to believe that staying and "working things out" is the only option—particularly if there's no physical violence involved.

"A lot of people are not familiar to identify the signs," notes the interviewer. "They think, 'He didn't beat me, so I can't say I need to leave.'" This mindset, reinforced by cultural expectations and generational patterns, creates an invisible prison that can be harder to escape than a physical one.

The work of breaking these cycles requires patience and individualized care. As Natalie explains, "Every situation is different, and you can't just generalize everything. It is important to be able to work with that person to see how that specific person's situation is different and how we can navigate that to come up with a solution."

A Collaborative Approach to Safety

Hope House doesn't work in isolation. Their strength lies in partnerships with courts, police stations, and social development services throughout the Western Cape. This network is crucial for survivors who have lost faith in the justice system.

While many survivors feel that reporting abuse is futile, Hope House provides what they describe as a "safe space"—somewhere to be heard, believed, and supported through what is always a complex process.

The reality of leaving an abusive situation is rarely straightforward. "It is definitely a process and it's something that the female or the wife or the partner definitely needs to think about and be completely sure that this is what they are going to do," Natalie acknowledges. Hope House assists in finding safe spaces and works with organizations like SAPS and social services, though the process can be challenging, especially when someone decides they need help immediately.

Supporting Children in Crisis

The center also provides crucial support for children affected by violence. While legal restrictions prevent counselling children under 12 without parental consent, Hope House typically uses 16 as their age marker. When children arrive seeking help, particularly those who fear for their safety, the staff can connect them with police and social services to ensure proper procedures are followed.

This work with children is especially critical in areas like the Cape Flats, where violence is often driven by multiple factors including substance abuse, poverty, and intergenerational trauma.

Breaking Generational Patterns

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Hope House's work is helping shift mindsets across generations. While younger people are increasingly refusing to tolerate abuse in any form, older generations often hold onto beliefs that prioritize keeping problems private and staying in marriages regardless of circumstances.

"The younger generation are getting more awoke," the conversation notes. "They're not tolerating that. If you've left your hands or manipulated me or any form of abuse, I have the chance to stand up and walk away."

The question remains: How do we change these deeply ingrained patterns? How do we break what has become a generational curse?

The answer, according to Hope House, lies in education, empowerment, and equipping people with tools to make informed choices. Their workshops focus not just on identifying abuse, but on building the skills and self-worth necessary to envision and create a different life.

PICTURED: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine roberts and Nosi Sogoni; Vuyo Bopi and Vatiswa Sebezo, social workers at Hope House counselling centre

The Reality of Seasonal Spikes

Natalie observes that statistics for gender-based violence tend to increase during certain times of the year, particularly around holidays when stress, alcohol consumption, and family tensions rise. While society talks about these issues intensely during campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism, the reality is that survivors need support 365 days a year.

"Gender-based violence thrives in silence," the broadcast reminds us. The work doesn't stop when the campaign ends.

How You Can Help

Hope House operates entirely on donations, making community support essential to keeping their doors open. They currently have a campaign asking people to consider donating 50 or 100 rand per month. As Natalie points out, "If 50 people pay R100 per month, it's something we can work with."

For those interested in supporting this vital work, donations can be made through their website at www.hopehouse.org.za, with options to support their centers in Khayelitsha, Kuils River, or Tokai.

Our Role in the Fight

The 16 Days of Activism campaign reminds us that we all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence and femicide. Whether through supporting organisations like Hope House, speaking out against violence, educating ourselves and others, or simply believing and supporting survivors when they find the courage to share their stories—every action matters.

Gender-based violence is not just a women's issue or a seasonal concern. It's a societal crisis that demands year-round attention, resources, and collective action. Organisations like Hope House are on the front lines of this fight, providing the compassionate, individualised care that can help survivors not just escape violence, but rebuild their lives.

Their message is clear: your mental health matters, help is available, and you don't have to face this alone.

 

Written By: Jasnine Roberts

Breaking the Silence: Home of Hope's Mission During 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

As we mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the Sakhisizwe team, as part of Bush Radio's Push Forward 16 days campaign, took its microphones directly to an organisation making a profound difference in our community: Home of Hope. This year's theme, "Unite and Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls," reminds us that violence takes many forms, but today we're addressing a particularly devastating yet often invisible form of violence that begins before a child is even born.

The Hidden Violence: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

At Home of Hope, the staff witness firsthand the impact of abuse, neglect, and abandonment on society's most vulnerable members. Many children in their care carry not just the invisible scars of trauma, but also the permanent effects of FASD, a condition that represents violence inflicted even before birth.

The founding CEO of Home of Hope, Eleanor Brook, shares the organisation's origins: "It initially started as a place to try and find families for children, and then we discovered FASD, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and from there we have evolved into what we are today."

Understanding FASD: A Preventable Yet Incurable Condition

FASD is known as an invisible disability, affecting children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. The condition causes permanent brain damage that impacts every aspect of a person's life. As Kayla Abel, the acting CEO, explains, the effects are far-reaching: "Secondary challenges include suicide, trouble with the law, addiction, substance abuse, work-related issues, and early dropouts from school."

What makes this particularly heartbreaking is that FASD is 100% preventable yet 100% incurable. Eleanor puts it bluntly: "Would you take a bottle of beer, put a teat on it and give it to your baby to drink? No, you wouldn't. So it's exactly the same thing prenatally."

FROM LEFT: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine Roberts and Meeral Mansoor; CEO and Founder, Eleanor Brooke; Acting CEO, Kayla Abel; Principal Roxanne Naickee 

The women who give birth to children with FASD often come from environments marked by violence and poverty. These circumstances create conditions where substance abuse becomes a coping mechanism. Adding to the challenge is the fact that alcohol is legal and socially accepted in our country.

"Young people don't even know they're pregnant, they're partying, they're drinking," Eleanor notes. "I think it just needs to be a lot of awareness needs to go out, and we should be speaking to everybody about this challenge and problem."

The issue transcends economic boundaries. As the team at Home of Hope emphasizes, this affects families from all socioeconomic backgrounds, not just impoverished communities.

A Holistic Approach to Care

Home of Hope operates five distinct projects designed to support children and young adults with FASD throughout their lives:

1. The Children's Home

Providing 24/7 care for 25 children, the home operates on a family-centered model rather than institutional care. Each child receives individualized therapeutic services, love, and attention tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

2. Amatemba School

Led by Principal Roxanne N aickeeand Senior Teacher Landisa Sibanda, the school serves 33 learners, including 19 from informal settlements. The school provides not just education but also basic necessities like bathing facilities and meals, ensuring children are ready to learn.

"We've had children that were expelled from mainstream schools due to behaviour challenges from FASD," Kayla explains. "At the school, we ensure that we empower every single child with an education and equip them with skills for a brighter future."

3. The Working Care Farm

Recognizing that young adults with FASD cannot simply be released into society at 18, Home of Hope created a farm where they learn practical skills like building garden trellises and crafting items for sale.

4. Living Life Programme

This mentoring initiative prepares young adults for independence by teaching essential life skills: budgeting, creating CVs, using public transportation, and navigating healthcare systems.

5. The Charity Shop

Located at 215 Blouberg Road in Tableview, the shop serves multiple purposes: fundraising, skills training for young adults, and providing affordable goods to the community.

The Reality of Living with FASD

Caring for someone with FASD requires extraordinary patience and specific strategies. As Kayla describes, individuals with FASD are concrete learners who struggle with abstract concepts. A simple instruction like "take the bun out, wash it, and put it back" is overwhelming because it contains multiple steps.

"You'd have to have visuals," Kayla explains. "In our children's home, their chore chart has visual pictures showing their face, a clock, and what chore they'll be doing and when."

Perhaps most importantly, caregivers must understand that a young adult with FASD is typically functioning at half their chronological age emotionally and socially. An 18-year-old may have the emotional capacity of an 8 or 9-year-old.

Early Warning Signs

Teachers at Amatemba School are trained to recognize and preempt behavioral challenges. Roxanne shares their approach: "We do circle time where we look at the emotions of children and how they're feeling. If we see a child tapping or looking irritable, those are cues and triggers for us to use calming techniques."

This proactive approach helps prevent escalation and creates a supportive learning environment where children can thrive despite their challenges.

Breaking the Cycle: What We Can All Do

The team at Home of Hope emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in preventing FASD and supporting affected families:

Spread Awareness: Talk about FASD with friends, family, and in your social circles. Share information you've learned.

Speak Up Without Judgment: If you see a pregnant woman drinking, inform her about the risks with compassion, not condemnation.

Educate Yourself: Use available resources, including social media and online platforms, to research FASD and share accurate information.

Support Organizations: Donate to places like Home of Hope. Contact them at 021-556-3573 or visit their charity shop Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and Saturdays 9 AM to 2 PM.

Start Uncomfortable Conversations: Don't wait for family gatherings or social events to pass without discussing issues that truly matter.

A Call to Action

As Eleanor powerfully states: "I think the biggest tool we have is our mouth. It's word of mouth. You've learned a whole lot of things today. Start speaking. We really just need to start talking. We all need to take responsibility to stop ignoring it and actually start speaking."

During these 16 Days of Activism and beyond, let's commit to breaking the silence around FASD and all forms of violence against women and children. Every child deserves to be safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The work happening at Home of Hope demonstrates that with proper support, structure, and unconditional love, children and young adults with FASD can lead meaningful lives. But they shouldn't have to face these challenges in the first place. Prevention starts with awareness, and awareness starts with each of us.

For more information about Home of Hope or to contribute to their mission, contact them at 021-556-3573 or visit their charity shop at 215 Blouberg Road, Tableview.

Written By: Jasnine Roberts

Know Your Rights, Stand Strong, Claim Your Rights: Understanding Police Accountability

In a recent Bush Radio panel discussion, Retired Major General Oswald Reddy, Western Cape Police Ombudsman, and Brenda Leonard, Bush Radio Station Manager, addressed one of the most pressing issues facing South African communities: police brutality and accountability.

When asked about the most common forms of police misconduct in the Western Cape, General Reddy didn't sugar coat. Beyond physical excessive force, communities face psychological intimidation, discriminatory profiling, evidence tampering, and corruption. The ongoing revelations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee investigating Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi allegations have exposed serious concerns about violence levels in society and how police engage with ordinary citizens.

"The police have certain powers in terms of the law," General Reddy explained. "However, they have to respect human rights and human dignity and carry their duties out in a fair, responsible, reasonable manner."

The problem arises when policing powers are misused. While police officers have the right to defend themselves and protect the community when confronting violent criminals and gangs, the law requires that force must be reasonable. Once a threat is neutralized, the level of force must decrease accordingly.

How Complaints Are Handled

General Reddy's office, the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, primarily deals with police inefficiencies rather than criminal conduct. When criminal behaviour by officers is alleged, cases are referred to IPID (the Police Investigative Directorate).

Currently, the office has 14 cases on record involving allegations of torture. When such cases arise, the office follows a clear protocol: informing complainants they need to open a case at the police station and referring matters to IPID for investigation.

The Challenge of Internal Investigations

One of the most significant obstacles to accountability is that police discipline is handled internally. While oversight bodies like the Police Ombudsman can provide recommendations, the police themselves appoint investigating officers to conduct internal investigations.

For minor offenses, sanctions might include verbal or written warnings. For serious misconduct, a full investigation leads to a tribunal where a presiding officer examines evidence similar to a court proceeding. Officers can bring union representatives or lawyers to defend themselves.

However, General Reddy acknowledged a critical weakness: there's no standard or minimum guideline for accountability. The same offense committed in Mitchell's Plain versus George could result in vastly different sanctions because of two independent trial officers. While review mechanisms exist through the provincial commissioner, the lack of complete independence creates opportunities for manipulation and corruption.

A Real Story of Justice

Brenda Leonard shared a powerful example from about 15 years ago that illustrates both the challenges and possibilities of the system. A refugee was withdrawing money at an ATM when police arrested him without explanation. At the police station, officers beat him and sprayed him with tear gas in his cell. When he tried to make a police case, the station refused.

He came to Bush Radio because he didn't know where else to turn. The station documented his injuries, contacted the station commander, and helped him file a case. The process took two years, but ultimately one officer was dismissed and another received a reprimand.

"There is a system in place," Leonard emphasized. "It took about two years... but ultimately, that person did get justice."

When discussing media coverage of police violence, Brenda stressed the importance of balanced, responsible reporting that respects media ethics. Journalists must be fair to all parties while exercising their right to cover stories at crime scenes without interference.

She described an incident where police officers tried to prevent Bush Radio journalists from covering an active crime scene opposite the station. After asserting their rights and later meeting with the station commander to educate officers about media law, the situation improved.

"We have influence as media," Leonard said. "We need to move away or try not to put blame in sometimes very high emotional situations."

In today's digital age, smartphones and social media have transformed evidence gathering. General Reddy noted that what was once difficult to prove can now be documented in real time through photos, videos, and recordings.

However, he cautioned about the integrity of evidence. For courts to accept digital evidence, there must be an unbroken chain of custody proving the material hasn't been tampered with. Footage that shows only part of an incident or has been doctored loses its credibility.

"Two wrongs cannot make a right," General Reddy reminded listeners. "The police have to comply with the law."

Your Rights During Police Encounters

General Reddy outlined critical rights every citizen should know:

Police must identify themselves and show their appointment certificates

You have the right to request a copy of a search warrant

Police officers should wear visible name tags (though some remove them to avoid identification)

Record registration numbers of police vehicles and names of units

In a democratic dispensation, you have constitutional rights that must be respected

 

"In the days before 1994, the police would come to your house at 2 o'clock in the morning, take you out of bed, your family don't have a clue where you've been taken to, and the next thing you disappear," he reflected. "We are currently living in a democratic dispensation, and people have rights which are guaranteed by the Constitution."

Leonard discussed the complex role of social media in documenting police violence. Unlike traditional media, social media platforms have no code of conduct, allowing anyone to post anything with minimal accountability.

The negative side includes distorted information and consequences people haven't thought through in their rush to post sensational content. However, social media also plays a positive role by keeping police accountable. When people have cameras at marches and protests, officers often think twice about their actions.

"Instead of pushing someone or doing something to someone or tear-gassing, they will rather think maybe we must find another form of action," Leonard observed.

The Path Forward

General Reddy outlined three core models of civilian oversight:

Review-focused boards that assess internal investigations but lack independence

Investigative-focused agencies that are external and more neutral

Auditor-monitor models focused on long-term reform

 

For South Africa, he suggested that while external bodies might not be immediately feasible, creating centralized disciplinary units at the district level to handle serious cases would bring greater fairness and equity in sanctions.

Responsible Reporting Guidelines

Leonard emphasized key principles for media coverage:

Report in a balanced way that respects everyone's rights

Don't name suspects until they've appeared in court

Avoid sensationalism that could mobilize communities to violence

Be aware of the impact and consequences of reporting

Use language carefully, avoiding aggressive terminology

Follow the law and professional codes of conduct

 

The conversation revealed both the challenges and possibilities within South Africa's police accountability system. While internal investigations and the culture of cover-up remain significant obstacles, there are pathways to justice through persistent advocacy, documentation, and engagement with oversight bodies.

Most importantly, citizens need to know their rights and exercise them. Whether through the Police Ombudsman, the South African Human Rights Commission, the Public Protector, or Parliamentary Oversight Committees, multiple avenues exist for addressing police misconduct.

As General Reddy concluded: "If we sit back and do nothing, the impunity continues. But the moment we take a stand and say enough is enough, this must be reported, then there cannot be a cover-up."

For complaints about police conduct in the Western Cape, contact the Office of the Police Ombudsman on 021 483 0669. For criminal conduct by police officers, contact IPID (Police Investigative Directorate).

Written by: Jasnine Roberts

From Kitchen to Community: The Inspiring Journey of Haylur Organics

How one woman's COVID-19 reflection sparked a skincare revolution rooted in heritage and community empowerment. In a world where beauty standards are often dictated by unrealistic expectations and harmful chemicals lurking in everyday products, Nuraan Devajee saw an opportunity to create something different. During the uncertain times of COVID-19, while many were questioning their careers and life choices, Nuraan made a bold decision that would transform not just her own life, but the lives of countless women across South Africa.

With over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, working for well-known international brands, Nuraan had seen it all. She had serviced customers from all walks of life, understanding their needs, desires, and the pressures they faced to conform to beauty standards. But when COVID-19 forced retail stores to close and physical interactions ceased, something profound happened.

"I took a step back and asked myself: do people actually need all these products on a daily basis? Do they need to spend that type of money on skincare just to make themselves feel self-worthy?" Nuraan reflects on that pivotal moment that would eventually lead to the birth of Haylur Organics.

The answer came from an unexpected place – her childhood memories and the wisdom passed down from her grandmother. The natural remedies, the traditional approaches to skincare and wellness that had been part of her upbringing suddenly felt more relevant than ever.

"All the rituals and things that I've learned from my granny always stayed with me since I was a child," Nuraan explains. "I've always kept to the natural way of doing things – the way my granny did things, the way my mother basically nurtured me."

Combining this ancestral knowledge with her professional expertise in cosmetics and beauty therapy, Nuraan embarked on extensive research and took online courses to learn product formulation. The result? A glow oil created right in her kitchen that would become the cornerstone of Haylur Organics.

The first product wasn't born from a business plan – it was born from necessity. Nuraan suffers from eczema, and her homemade formulation helped manage her condition. When she shared it with close friends and family, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

"When it helped me, I wanted to share it with a lot of people. I didn't actually think of starting a business – I just wanted to help people because that's ultimately what I do," she shares.

What started as bottles sold "for next to nothing" quickly gained traction. Friends encouraged her to commercialize the product, and before she knew it, Haylur Organics was born. Three years later, the company is thriving and making a real impact in the South African beauty landscape.

The name "Haylur" itself tells a story of innovation and authenticity. As Nuraan explains, it's a word she created that means "plant lover" – combining Urdu roots with American slang. The "Hey" references the hemp seed oil that's a key ingredient in many of their products, while "lur" means lover. It's a name that perfectly encapsulates the brand's plant-based philosophy and passion for natural ingredients.

What sets Haylur Organics apart isn't just its organic formulations – it's the community-focused approach that drives everything they do. Based in Epping Industrial, the company operates on a simple but powerful principle: "beauty is a collective."

Nuraan's vision extends far beyond selling skincare products. She's created a platform that supports small businesses, particularly nail salons and beauty therapists who struggled during COVID-19. By providing these businesses with access to clean, natural products, she's building an ecosystem where wellness and sustainability coexist.

"I approach building the brand as helping women become independent with our products," she explains. "We give smaller businesses access to clean beauty and natural products, which helps them and the consumer at the end of the day."

In an industry often criticized for promoting unrealistic standards, Haylur Organics takes a refreshingly different approach. The brand focuses on educating women about overconsumption and teaching them to understand their skin's natural rhythms.

"I teach women the rhythm of the skin, the rhythm of the body, the rhythm of the everyday lifestyle," Nuraan says. "We try to instil in women that it's okay not to be perfect. Your perfection – the image you received from God above – that is who you are."

This philosophy challenges the conventional beauty narrative that suggests women need countless products to feel worthy. Instead, Haylur Organics promotes the idea that true beauty comes from caring for yourself and others authentically.

The company's commitment goes beyond individual beauty routines. By choosing organic farming and ingredients grown without harmful chemicals, Haylur Organics protects both consumers and the environment. This creates a positive chain reaction – supporting local farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and offering healthier alternatives to conventional products.

"When we choose cosmetics powered by organic farming, we're not only protecting the environment, but we're protecting ourselves and those around us as well," Nuraan emphasizes.

As Haylur Organics looks ahead, Nuraan's vision is clear: she wants to create "a place of safety where you can come to us with all your imperfections." The brand represents more than skincare – it's a movement that reminds us that beauty is more than skin deep and is rooted in how we care for people and our land.

For those inspired by this journey and wanting to join the "Haylur Babes" community, the products are available through their website at haylurorganics.co.za, on social media platforms, at local salons, and on Takealot.

Nuraan Devajee's story is a testament to the power of authentic entrepreneurship. By staying true to her roots, listening to her community, and refusing to compromise on her values, she's built something that transcends business – a movement that empowers women, supports local economies, and promotes environmental responsibility.

In a world that often prioritizes profit over purpose, Haylur Organics stands as a beacon of what's possible when business is done with heart, heritage, and hope for a better future.

To learn more about Haylur Organics and their transformative products, visit haylurorganics.co.za or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @HaylurOrganics.

Written by: Jasnine Roberts

Gigsterr: A South African Solution to the Unemployment Crisis Connecting Skills with Opportunities, One Gig at a Time to make ends meet.

Even those with full-time employment often find themselves unable to cover basic expenses due to rising costs. But one entrepreneur saw an opportunity in this challenge and decided to act.

Two years ago, Natrishka Naidoo, CEO and founder of Gigsterr, noticed a troubling pattern on social media. Single mothers were repeatedly posting desperate pleas asking if there were ways to earn extra money. Even employed individuals were South Africa's unemployment crisis has reached staggering levels, leaving millions of families struggling to feed their families and keep up with expenses.

"There must be some way that even if you are earning already and you are struggling, or if you are unemployed, there must be a way for you to earn some money just for that day," Naidoo reflected. This realization sparked the creation of Gigsterr – a platform designed to connect people with skills to those who need those services.

Gigsterr operates through two complementary mobile applications:

Gigsterr App

Users post tasks they need completed

Multiple service providers can apply for each gig

Eliminates the need to contact numerous providers for quotes

Creates a competitive marketplace for services

 

Gigsterr Provider App

Service providers can sign up and list multiple services

Providers can set their own rates

Features built-in chat functionality for pre-job communication

Comprehensive service marketplace in one location

Understanding the vulnerability of both job seekers and customers in the gig economy, Gigsterr has implemented several protective measures:

Service providers can upload police clearances to build trust

Payments are held until gigs are completed, protecting both parties

Both parties must upload completion photos to minimize disputes

Individual investigations are conducted when issues arise

Chat features allow parties to establish trust before payment

Despite being available for only two and a half months, Gigsterr is already showing promising signs:

High daily sign-up rates from service providers indicate strong demand

Growing user base demonstrates market receptivity

Addresses a clear gap in the South African market

 

"We're seeing a lot of service providers signing up because of obviously the need for work," Naidoo explains. "That's telling us that an app like this is a hugely needed in the country."

Unlike existing platforms that focus on niche areas, Gigsterr aims to be comprehensive. Rather than requiring users to download multiple apps for different services, Gigsterr provides an all-in-one solution where users can find any service they need and providers can offer multiple skills.

The app is currently seeking support through a crowdfunding campaign on Thunderfund. The funds will be used for:

Continued app development and improvements

Marketing and advertising campaigns nationwide

Increasing platform uptake and usage

Ultimately helping to reduce unemployment

 

Naidoo's ambitions extend beyond South Africa's borders. The long-term vision is to expand across the African continent, providing a platform for informal workers who currently lack opportunities to showcase their services.

"I think we don't have anything like this in Africa. There are similar apps in the US, in Europe," Naidoo notes. "We've got such a rich culture within Africa. Why do we not have an opportunity like this for anyone that comes from an informal background?"

Gigster represents more than a technological solution – it's a movement toward economic empowerment and dignity. By connecting skilled individuals with those who need their services, the platform creates opportunities for people to provide for their families while maintaining their self-respect.

"I want to give hope back to our South African people," Naidoo concludes.

Get Involved

For those interested in supporting or using Gigsterr:

Both Gigsterr and Gigsterr Provider are available on iOS and Android app stores

Visit the website: www.gigsterr.app contains all social media handles and contact information

Support the crowdfunding: Search for "Gigsterr" on Thunderfund to contribute

Follow on social media: Find Gigsterr on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

Whether you're seeking services, offering skills, or simply believing in community empowerment, Gigsterr offers a way to be part of the solution to South Africa's unemployment challenge. Every download, every gig, and every contribution helps build a stronger, more inclusive economy for the nation and beyond. 

Written by: Jasnine Roberts

Breaking Cycles: Heritage, Healing, and Hope in South Africa

A conversation about transforming historical trauma into community empowerment through art, activism, and authentic storytelling.

How do we honour our history while building a future that heals rather than repeats old wounds? This question sat at the heart of a powerful conversation on Sakhisizwe-Building the nation-Bou die nasie, featuring three remarkable South Africans who've turned their personal struggles into community transformation.

Amanda Lan, a martial arts practitioner who channels ancient wisdom into modern wellness; Emile Jensen (Emile YX), a hip-hop artist using music as both resistance and education; and Brenda Leonard, Managing Director of Bush Radio, creating platforms for marginalized voices. Together, they represent something profound: the understanding that healing our communities requires both acknowledging our wounds and celebrating our resilience.

"We didn't go through a healing democracy, we just moved on - and that's not good enough." Amanda's words cut straight to the core of South Africa's unfinished business with its past. For her, martial arts became a way to release the anger that many South Africans still carry - anger that gets passed down through generations like an unwanted inheritance.

Emile's journey began with breakdancing on the Cape Flats, where silence was survival and dance became language. "You know, a lot of kids at school, they're told to be quiet, so they go inside themselves and express in artistic ways," he explained. Breaking offered something unique - a way to battle without violence, to vent without harm.

But perhaps most striking was Brenda's account of confronting her own trauma decades later. Walking into a police station for a routine task, she found herself frozen at the sight of where state it was in. The body remembers what the mind tries to forget.

One of the most haunting moments in the conversation came when Amanda’s daughter asked why she kept talking about apartheid: "It's gone, it's forgotten." Her response - "I actually don't [know what you went through] because you've never spoken about it" - revealed a painful truth about how trauma silences itself across generations.

Emile echoed this pattern: "People were saying, we never ever spoke about this. They didn't even tell their children of that experience." His song "Butterflies Fly By," inspired by his own protest experiences, unleashed a flood of suppressed memories in his community. People living in Australia wrote about still remembering the smell of tear gas. Children discovered their families' involvement in the struggle for the first time.

This silence isn't just personal - it's political. As Emile pointed out, when we leave our children to be "reared by them" (meaning media and external influences), we lose control of our own narrative.

The conversation took an important turn when discussing identity and terminology. Amanda challenged the term "coloured" directly: "I hate the term coloured because I am not a rainbow. You don't see pink in me... Don't give me a derogative term, because I am of mixed heritage. That is my honour."

Brenda approached it from a political consciousness perspective, choosing to identify as a black South African: "Because that time you had black and whites. If you were in the broad range of black, you were oppressed."

But Emile went deeper, connecting language to heritage: "That word 'awe,' when you go do the research, you find that it actually exposes a connection to the Indonesian archipelago... The language actually exposes your heritage." He pointed to how parents were conditioned to suppress these linguistic connections, perpetuating the trauma of cultural erasure.

Amanda made a crucial observation about how oppression has evolved: "I prefer to say we're in a different ballgame at the moment. It's psychological warfare, which was used back then already. The only difference is now it's masked in a nice guise."

Social media, she argued, has become a tool for mental colonization, with young people following influencers blindly without questioning. Emile drew a stark parallel: "During apartheid, you were called either askari or impimpi if you worked with the enemy. Economics was the enemy. Now you're called the influencer."

What united all three speakers was their use of creative expression as both resistance and healing. But they were careful to challenge misconceptions about their art forms.

When martial arts was described as "aggressive," Amanda corrected this immediately: "Dance actually is a heritage - if you move and you flow like water, it's martial arts. So that's why I go back to the Khoisan, because the Khoisan danced on the soil. That is our heritage."

She further more explained how hip-hop's origins in kung fu movies created a connection between movement and resistance: "Hip hop's influenced by Kung Fu... when one says it's a violent art, I beg to differ."

These art forms aren't just creative outlets - they're repositories of cultural memory and vehicles for transformation.

So how do we break cycles of inherited trauma while honouring ancestral wisdom? The speakers offered several concrete suggestions:

1. Decolonized Education

Emile proposed the need for "a madrasa for all Africans" - a decolonization process that removes the lies and programming from formal education. "It takes out all of the lies that they forced on you. Like they deprogram you."

2. Community Storytelling

Brenda emphasized bringing lived experience into classrooms: "We need to tell the stories of our people. We need to tell the stories of our experiences." She offered to speak at schools for free about her experiences at events like the Bisho Massacre, but found little interest from educators.

3. Parental Responsibility

Emile stressed that "primary teachers are the parents," describing how he created his own lullaby’s and told his children traditional creation stories from childhood. "So they grew up with a different perception."

4. Economic Empowerment

Amanda was clear about the connection between healing and power: "The minute I have power; I can change things. And the more power I acquired, the more changes I could mandate, not just for myself, I could assist communities."

Perhaps the most complex issue raised was how to pass knowledge to a generation that expects instant gratification. As Amanda noted: "A lot of children want it just handed over..."

The solution, these activists made, isn't to hand over the baton unconditionally, but to find young people willing to "meet me halfway. I don't want to beg you. If you don't want to work for it, I'm not going to hand it to you."

As Heritage Month approaches each September, this conversation offers a roadmap for meaningful engagement with our past. It's not about celebrating a sanitized version of culture, but about honest reckoning with trauma, authentic connection to ancestry, and practical steps toward healing.

The speakers reminded us that heritage isn't just about what we inherit - it's about what we choose to pass forward. In Emile's words: "We have power to bring about change... Nobody's coming. This idea that politicians are going to save us. They are supposed to work for us."

This conversation challenges us to move beyond heritage as performance toward heritage as transformation. It asks us to:

Question the narratives we've been told

Share our stories authentically with the next generation

Use creative expression as tools for healing

Take responsibility for our communities' future

Recognize the connections between past oppression and present challenges

 

As we navigate Heritage Month and beyond, these voices remind us that the work of healing is ongoing, collective, and urgent. The cycles of trauma can be broken, but only if we're willing to face our past honestly and work actively toward a different future.

The conversation ends with Emile's practical commitment: working with communities to create "agents of change" - not waiting for salvation from politicians, but taking responsibility for the transformation we want to see.

In a world where the past refuses to stay buried, these three South Africans offer a path forward: through art, through truth-telling, through the hard work of healing. Their message is clear - we have the power to break the cycles, but we must choose to use it.

Everything You Need to Know About Wills in South Africa

Part 2 with Masi Ncube from ProBono.org legal expert, during National Will Week.

Planning for the future isn't just about saving money or building assets it's about ensuring your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honoured when you're no longer here. Yet despite its importance, many South Africans still don't have wills. During National Will Week (September 15-19), legal expert Masi Ncube from ProBono.org shared crucial insights about wills that every South African should understand.

A will is a legal document that expresses your wishes for how your assets should be distributed after you die. It operates on the principle of "freedom of testation," which means you have the right to choose how your estate is distributed. This powerful legal tool allows you to control your legacy and provide for those you care about most.

When someone dies without a will a situation called "intestate succession" their assets are distributed according to predetermined legal formulas rather than personal wishes. Contrary to popular belief, your assets don't automatically go to the state. Instead, they're distributed to your spouse, children, or other relatives according to specific calculations.

If you're married: Your spouse automatically inherits half of your estate if you were married in community of property. The remainder is divided according to the Intestate Succession Act, with your surviving spouse inheriting either R250,000 or a child's share (whichever is greater).

If you're unmarried: Your children inherit equally. If you have no children, your parents inherit. If your parents have passed away, your siblings inherit. If no siblings exist, your closest relatives inherit.

If no relatives can be found: Your estate sits with the Guardian's Fund for up to 30 years while they search for potential heirs.

Can a Will Be Contested?

Unfortunately, yes. Wills can be challenged on several grounds:

1. Forgery

Someone alleges that the person supposed to sign the will didn't actually sign it, or that the document was fraudulently created.

2. Undue Influence

This occurs when someone claims that the testator (the person making the will) was pressured or manipulated into making decisions that don't reflect their true wishes.

3. Mental Incapacity

This applies when the testator didn't understand what they were signing or the significance of their decisions. This could be relevant in cases involving Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive impairments.

4. Constitutional and Public Policy Violations

Wills cannot contain provisions that violate constitutional rights or public policy. For example, you can't leave property to someone only if they convert to a specific religion or only if they get married, as this would violate their fundamental freedoms.

Challenging a will is expensive and requires going to the High Court with legal representation it's not a quick or cheap process.

Essential Will Requirements: What Makes It Valid?

Witnesses and Formalities

Your will must be signed by two witnesses

Every single page must be initialled by both you and the witnesses

The original will is crucial copies are rarely accepted by the Master's Office without a court order

You do NOT register a will while you're alive. This is one of the biggest misconceptions people have. The will is only submitted to the Master's Office after you pass away, when someone reports your deceased estate.

While you can technically draft a will yourself (blank will forms are available at stores like CNA), legal experts strongly recommend having a lawyer draft it. The formalities are complex, and mistakes can invalidate your entire will.

Life changes, and your will should reflect those changes. Consider updating your will when:

Relationships change: Marriage, divorce, or the end of a long-term partnership

Children are born or circumstances change: Including new children or if existing children's circumstances change significantly

Major assets are acquired: New property, significant investments, or inheritance

Beneficiaries' circumstances change: If someone you intended to benefit goes down the wrong path or if your relationship with them changes

Don't wait until you're declining mentally or physically, update your will while you're of sound mind and body.

If you're in a long-term relationship but not married, your partner has no automatic inheritance rights under intestate succession. However, your will can provide for them through freedom of testation.

If you want your partner to potentially claim maintenance from your estate, document your relationship thoroughly:

Create written agreements showing your life partners

Keep records of shared expenses

Obtain affidavits from family members confirming your relationship

Maintain evidence of your shared life together

 

What People Think vs. What They Do

When asked about the importance of having a will, most people acknowledge its significance. They understand it helps secure their family's future and provides peace of mind. However, many of the same people who recognize its importance don't actually have wills themselves.

Common barriers include:

Believing it's too expensive or inaccessible

Thinking you need significant assets to justify having a will

Superstitious beliefs that discussing death invites it

Simply procrastinating on what feels like an uncomfortable topic

 

Where to Get Your Will Drafted

Professional Options:

Law firms: Recommended but can be expensive

Pro Bono organizations: Often provide free services during Will Week

Banks: Offer will services but often insert themselves as executors

Community Resources:

Community Advice Offices: Provide will drafting services, especially during Will Week

Commission of Oaths officers: Can assist with basic wills

 

A Critical Warning About Executors

Be cautious about who you choose as your executor. Many law firms and banks automatically insert themselves as executors, which means they can charge up to 3.5% of your estate's value for administration services, costs your heirs will bear. Consider appointing a trusted individual instead to save your beneficiaries money.

Common Will Myths Debunked

Myth: Writing your wishes on paper and signing it creates a valid will.

Reality: This is NOT a valid will. Proper formalities must be followed, including witnesses and specific signing procedures.

Myth: You must register your will while alive.

Reality: Wills are only submitted to the Master's Office after death when the deceased estate is reported.

Myth: Living wills are the same as regular wills.

Reality: Living wills deal with medical wishes and aren't fully recognized in South African law. Your asset distribution will must be a separate, proper last will and testament.

Assess your situation: Do you have dependents, assets, or specific wishes for your estate?

Research your options: Look into free will services during Will Week or reputable law firms

Gather your thoughts: Decide who should inherit what and who should serve as your executor

Consider guardianship: If you have minor children, decide who should care for them

Think about burial wishes: Include preferences for cremation or burial

Get professional help: Despite the cost, having a lawyer draft your will can save significant problems later

 

The Bottom Line

Having a will isn't about inviting death into your life it's about showing love and consideration for those you'll leave behind. It's about taking control of your legacy and ensuring your hard-earned assets benefit the people you choose, not distant relatives determined by legal formulas.

During National Will Week and beyond, take advantage of the resources available. Your future self and your loved ones will thank you for taking this crucial step toward securing their future.

Remember: The best time to create a will was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

For free will services and legal advice, contact Pro Bono.org or visit your local Community Advice Office. Don't let another National Will Week pass without taking action.