Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), South African Police Services (SAPS), Department of Justice (DoJ), Department of Social Development (DSD), and other community-based and nonprofit organisations came together on the 25 November 2025 at the Allandale Correctional Centre to shed light on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which has now also been declared a national disaster.
Every year, South Africa continues to see increased numbers of victims of this devastating pandemic. Statistics indicate that we can longer be silent about this issue and that bringing awareness is just not enough. To launch the annual 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV) campaign that runs from 25 November until 10 December 2025, the CWDM reaffirmed its commitment to programmes that will help put an end to GBV.
Advocate Cindy Abdol from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), provided insight into what the possible root causes are of GBV are and what we can do in our everyday lives to help combat this pandemic. Some of the possible causes that get overlooked are issues like poverty and infrastructure development as this is in most cases this a breeding place for crime. She further explained: “We are long passed just spreading awareness about GBV, it’s time for us to get the basics right and start in our own homes. Moral regeneration is needed in our families. We need to instil morals and values in our children again. Societal change is needed.”
The Kickboxing Bully Busters were in attendance and encouraged attendees to join self-defence classes, get fit, do anything to empower and protect themselves.
For a variety of reasons, GBV cases are not reported, however people should know that help is available. The CWDM has implemented various programmes, community dialogues, activist events, and capacity-building workshops aimed at confronting and preventing GBV across our district.
Executive Mayor Ald. (Dr) Elna von Shlicht expressed the following: “With our partners, we reaffirm our pledge made in previous years to reject all forms of gender-based violence, including the growing threat of digital violence against women and children. We also express our strong support for the Department of Social Development, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, and its initiatives to eradicate GBV.
We urge all spheres of government to continue strengthening collaboration, enforcement, and prevention efforts so that every resident of the Cape Winelands can live in dignity and safety.
Today, we renew our call to action:
Let us unite.
Let us speak out.
Let us protect one another.
And let us commit not for 16 days, but 365 days to ending gender-based violence in our communities.
There can be no excuse.
Not now, not ever.”
Restoring dignity and improving the livelihoods of our residents in the district is at the heart of what we do at CWDM.
