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A packed Greyville Primary School hall in Lenasia became a powerful space of solidarity on Thursday, 24 September 2026 as women, survivors, community leaders, activists and community members gathered for the launch of the Lenasia Community Police Forum (CPF) Women’s Forum.
The launch brought women from Lenasia and surrounding areas together under a shared message of empowerment, support, healing and community safety. The gathering took place against the backdrop of growing concern over gender based violence and the killing of women, with balloons released in memory of women who have lost their lives, including those killed in Ekurhuleni.
The emotional tribute set the tone for a programme focused not only on remembering those who had died, but on finding ways to protect women and children and prevent further loss of life.
Among the speakers was Merrishia Singh-Naicker who delivered a deeply personal address, drawing on her own experience as a survivor of gender based violence.
Naicker spoke about the difficulty of breaking the silence surrounding abuse and the shame and stigma that often prevent survivors from speaking out.
She said the new forum could provide women, girls, families and survivors with a safe space where they could be heard, believed and supported.
She called for a survivor centred approach to gender based violence, urging communities to stop questioning survivors about what they wore, where they went or why they remained in abusive relationships.
Instead, she encouraged women to respond with compassion and say, “I believe you. I am here for you.”
Naicker also stressed the importance of confidentiality, saying survivors must be able to share their experiences without fear that their stories will become community gossip.
She called for greater collaboration between organisations and communities, saying the fight against gender based violence could not be won by working in isolation.
Men and boys, she added, must also be part of the solution through positive masculinity and active participation in creating safer communities.
Her message also focused strongly on self care.
“Self care is not an option. It is resistance,” she told the gathering, encouraging women to make time for their own wellbeing so that they could continue supporting others.
Zubeda Dangor, CEO of Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development, congratulated the organisers for establishing the forum and described it as an important intervention for the community.
Dangor said the launch was taking place at a particularly significant time, when South Africa continues to grapple with gender based violence and femicide.
She paid tribute to survivors and acknowledged the courage required to speak about traumatic experiences.
“Gender based violence and femicide is not a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue,” Dangor said.
She called on men to stand alongside women and take an active role in ending gender based violence and femicide.
Dangor said the CPF Women’s Forum must become more than a programme or initiative and should develop into a platform where survivors can access safety, support, dignity and justice.
She called for stronger cooperation between law enforcement, social workers, faith leaders, families and community organisations.
“Promises mean little without action,” she said, stressing the importance of ensuring that survivors are heard and protected, that women have access to counselling and resources, and that perpetrators are held accountable.
Dangor also urged women to pay close attention to issues affecting their safety when considering political candidates and party manifestos ahead of the upcoming local elections.
She encouraged women to ask political parties what they were doing to improve public safety for women in communities such as Lenasia, including practical issues such as adequate street lighting and safer public spaces.
Nazmeera Ebrahim, a teacher at Lenasia Secondary School, gave an emotional address based on her experiences working with young women and girls.
Ebrahim said teachers often see changes in children that others may overlook.
She spoke about young women who arrive at school happy and confident but gradually become withdrawn because they are in controlling or abusive relationships.
She also shared her own childhood experiences and spoke about a teacher who recognised that she was experiencing difficulties and intervened.
That experience, she said, influenced her decision to become a teacher and to create a safe environment for learners.
Ebrahim said there are often small signs that indicate a child is struggling, and adults need to be willing to notice them.
She also provided practical advice on coping with overwhelming emotions, including grounding techniques, deep breathing and journalling.
She urged women and young people to find safe ways to document their experiences and seek support.
Ebrahim further reminded the audience that gender based violence does not affect women and girls alone, saying boys can also experience abuse and may remain silent because they believe they are expected to be strong.
One of the founders of Philadelphia Shelter (not named), who spoke openly about her own experience as a survivor, also shared an emotional message with those gathered.
She said her experience of abuse and trauma had inspired her to establish a space where women and children could heal, rebuild their confidence and rediscover their worth.
She urged women to stop judging one another and instead become a safe place for someone who may be silently struggling.
“Sometimes the woman sitting next to you is fighting a battle she has never spoken about,” she said.
She reminded survivors that although what happened to them forms part of their story, it does not have to determine their future.
Her message was one of hope, resilience and purpose, encouraging women to stand together because when women heal, families and communities can also heal.
Ameera Morat added a practical element to the programme with a self defence demonstration, highlighting the importance of equipping women with knowledge and skills that can assist them in protecting themselves.
Shenaaz Padayachy of Lenasia CPF Women's forum thanked the speakers, organisers, community structures, supporters and donors who contributed towards the successful launch.
She acknowledged the support received from the CPF, security structures and community partners and said the initiative demonstrated what could be achieved when people worked together.
Padayachy said the event was not simply the launch of a forum, but the beginning of women coming together to support one another and work towards a safer community.
The launch also provided an opportunity for community members to acknowledge the devastating impact of violence on families.
The release of balloons in memory of women who had been killed was one of the most poignant moments of the day, serving as a reminder that behind every statistic is a mother, daughter, sister, friend or loved one whose absence continues to be felt.
The launch of the Lenasia CPF Women’s Forum comes with a clear responsibility to turn the words shared on the day into meaningful action.
The forum aims to provide a platform for women to support one another, raise awareness, strengthen community partnerships and ensure that survivors are not left to navigate violence and trauma alone.
The gathering ended on a message of unity, with women encouraged to look beyond their differences and work together towards safer families and communities.
