Ilitha Labantu

Ilitha Labantu’s Policy and Advocacy Department hosted a community engagement focused on Child Neglect as a Criminal Offence, bringing families and key community stakeholders together to strengthen awareness, understanding and action around child protection.

The engagement sought to educate families about child neglect and its effects on children, when neglect may constitute a criminal offence, and what the Justice System says. Families were also equipped with knowledge to recognise the signs of child neglect, understand the appropriate reporting guidelines and know how to report concerns.

The engagement brought together FCS Unit (SAPS), Social Crimes (SAPS), CPF, Amadoda Aqotho, Equal Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Development (DSD) and Isidima Sam, contributing to an important conversation on child protection, community vigilance and accountability.

Protecting children requires informed and vigilant communities. Recognising the signs of neglect and knowing how to report it can help ensure that children receive the protection and care they deserve.

: On Friday, 28 August 2026, the University of the Western Cape will honour Mandisa Monakali posthumously with a Doctor Philosophiae, honoris causa, at the 2026 Honorary Doctorate Celebration.

Mandisa Monakali was a pioneering South African human rights activist and community development leader who dedicated her life to advancing the rights and dignity of women and children. In 1989, she founded Ilitha Labantu in Gugulethu, providing counselling, legal support, economic empowerment and advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence.

UWC will honour her enduring contribution to justice, equality and the empowerment of women and children alongside six other distinguished recipients.

Ilitha Labantu is pleased to invite you to join us this Saturday for our Annual High Tea Fundraiser, an afternoon dedicated to celebrating courageous women whose leadership reflects integrity, courage, compassion and service.

Women's Month 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women's March, a defining moment in South Africa's pursuit of justice, equality and women's rights. Against this backdrop, this year's theme, "Women of Integrity: Leading with Courage, Shaping the Future," celebrates women whose leadership continues to shape communities, strengthen institutions and inspire future generations.

The Annual High Tea is a fundraising initiative in support of the Dorothy Zihlangu Transitional House, a place of safety where women and children affected by violence find care, protection and the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity. Your support will help ensure that this important work continues to reach those who need it most.

We are proud to present an inspiring programme featuring:

• Hon. Minister Dina Deliwe P**e – Minister of Social Development
• Mam Thoko Mpumlwana – Chairperson, South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) Trust
• Ms Khanyisa Dunjwa – Chairperson, South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Women's Sector
• Hon. Dr Litha Musyimi-Ogana – Commissioner, African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
• Live entertainment by Mabongi Thusi & The OAK Band

Event Details
- Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
- Venue: The President Hotel, Bantry Bay, Cape Town
- Time: 13:00 – 17:00
- Dress Code: Gala Elegance
- Tickets: R850 – Book now via Quicket:

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/387739-7th-annual-high-tea-2026-women-of-integrity-leading-with-courage-shaping-the-fu/

We warmly invite you to join us this Saturday for an afternoon of inspiration, reflection and purpose as we celebrate women, honour their contributions to society, and strengthen our shared commitment to advancing the rights, dignity and safety of women and girls.

Day 2 and final day of Ilitha Labantu's two-day Basic Counselling Skills training concluded the training sessions for the Metro Central Education District, bringing the third module of the Educator Empowerment Hub, Pillar 2 of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative (SSLC), to a close.

Building on the knowledge gained during the first day, the final day focused on the practical application of counselling skills within the school environment. Educators explored approaches to supporting learners experiencing emotional challenges, responding appropriately to different situations, and applying counselling skills while maintaining the boundaries of their role.

Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, case studies, and collaborative learning, educators reflected on how effective communication and counselling skills can strengthen their engagement with learners and contribute to learner wellbeing.

The completion of the Basic Counselling Skills training concludes the three-module Educator Empowerment Hub training for educators in the Metro Central Education District, covering Gender Sensitivity and Trauma-Informed Practice, Identifying Key Signs of Abuse, and Basic Counselling Skills.

We appreciate the dedication, commitment, and meaningful engagement demonstrated by the educators throughout the training sessions and their willingness to deepen their knowledge and skills in support of learners.

The training sessions will now move to the Metro East Education District (Khayelitsha), with the next leg scheduled to begin on 4 September 2026 for educators from participating schools.

Day 1 of Ilitha Labantu's two-day Basic Counselling Skills training brought together educators from participating schools across the Metro Central Education District (Gugulethu, Nyanga and KTC) for the third module of the Educator Empowerment Hub, Pillar 2 of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative (SSLC), focusing on practical counselling skills and supportive engagement with learners.

Building on the knowledge gained through the previous modules on Gender Sensitivity and Trauma-Informed Practice and Identifying Key Signs of Abuse, the first day focused on active listening and empathetic communication, building trust and rapport with learners, understanding emotional challenges, and approaches to providing appropriate support within the school environment.

Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, case studies, and collaborative learning, educators explored basic counselling techniques and strengthened their ability to engage with learners in a sensitive and supportive manner, while recognising the boundaries of their role.

The Educator Empowerment Hub forms part of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative's broader approach to strengthening school-based prevention and early intervention across participating schools. Through the programme, school leaders, educators, learners, parents, and communities are equipped with knowledge, skills, and mechanisms to identify vulnerabilities, address concerns, and contribute to safer, more supportive and inclusive school environments.

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ILITHA LABANTU CALLS FOR STRONGER ACTION AGAINST NEWBORN ABANDONMENT FOLLOWING DELFT INCIDENT

Ilitha Labantu is deeply concerned by the discovery of a newborn baby in a drain in Delft on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. The incident is deeply disturbing and raises serious concerns about the circumstances that can lead to the abandonment of a newborn, as well as the broader social conditions that must be considered when seeking to prevent such tragedies.

According to the South African Police Service, Delft police have registered a case of concealment of birth following the discovery. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and no arrests have been made. While the investigation must be allowed to establish the facts, the incident raises difficult questions about the circumstances in which women and girls may find themselves during crisis pregnancies and the extent to which they are able to access support.

Incidents such as these must be treated with the seriousness they deserve, and difficult circumstances cannot be used to excuse the abandonment or death of a newborn. There are organisations, social services and safe alternatives available to women who are unable or unwilling to care for a child, and greater awareness of these options is essential. At the same time, we must examine the broader circumstances that may place women and girls in crisis, including unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, r**e, coercion, fear, stigma and lack of support. Understanding these factors is not about excusing criminal conduct, but about strengthening prevention and ensuring that people know where to seek help before a situation reaches this point.

It is important that incidents of this nature are also considered within the broader social context in which they occur. Social indicators such as poverty, unemployment, social isolation, limited access to support services, gender inequality, exposure to violence, stigma and inadequate support networks can influence vulnerability during periods of crisis. However, these incidents cannot be viewed as a problem confined to communities experiencing socioeconomic hardship. Newborn abandonment is a societal issue that can occur across different social and economic circumstances, and it should not be reduced to assumptions about poverty or the community in which an incident takes place. Highlighting these social indicators is not about attributing blame to a particular community or suggesting that socioeconomic circumstances determine such actions. Rather, it is about understanding the range of factors that can contribute to vulnerability and identifying where prevention, education, support and intervention can be strengthened.

South Africa continues to grapple with a deeply entrenched r**e culture in which sexual violence, coercion and the violation of women's and girls' bodily autonomy remain serious concerns. Where pregnancy may result from r**e or other forms of sexual violence, the trauma and fear experienced by survivors can be profound. These realities must form part of the conversation when addressing crisis pregnancies and the circumstances surrounding newborn abandonment.

Addressing these situations requires more than a response after a tragedy has occurred. It requires stronger prevention programmes, education and awareness, accessible psychosocial support, effective referral pathways and services that women and girls can access when facing crisis pregnancies, sexual violence or other difficult circumstances. Families, schools, healthcare providers, social services, law enforcement, civil society and communities all have a role to play in ensuring that those who need help are able to access it before a crisis escalates.

There is also a need to challenge the stigma and silence surrounding pregnancy, sexual violence and reproductive health. Women and girls must be able to seek assistance without fear of judgement, while communities must be equipped to recognise vulnerability and respond appropriately. Education and awareness are critical to ensuring that individuals know where to turn and that support is available before circumstances become life-threatening.

The impact of incidents such as this extends beyond the immediate circumstances. They can leave communities deeply distressed and traumatised, while raising difficult questions about whether existing prevention, support and referral systems are reaching those who need them. Preventing such tragedies requires sustained investment in education, awareness, violence prevention, psychosocial support and coordinated response mechanisms.

Every newborn deserves dignity, protection and care. At the same time, women and girls facing crisis pregnancies, sexual violence or other circumstances that place them at risk must have access to appropriate support and services. Responding to incidents of this nature requires compassion, accountability and a collective commitment to confronting violence, stigma and the social conditions that can contribute to such tragedies.

Ilitha Labantu remains committed to working alongside communities, government and other stakeholders to strengthen violence prevention, education and awareness, improve referral pathways and promote environments where women, girls and children are protected, supported and able to access help when they need it.

Media Enquiries:
Siyabulela Monakali
Communications Manager
Ilitha Labantu

https://iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-08-20-investigation-launched-after-foetus-discovered-in-delft-drain/

This week, Youth Ambassadors participated in Safe Schools Club sessions at their respective schools across the Metro-Central and Metro-East districts, as part of Pillar 3 of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative.

The Safe Schools Clubs provide a structured space for Youth Ambassadors to engage with the realities of their own school environments, reflect on issues affecting learners, exchange ideas and explore ways of contributing to positive change within their schools. While the sessions are guided by the Safe Schools Clubs Toolkit developed by Ilitha Labantu, the discussions are responsive to the context of each school, recognising that no two school communities are the same.

As learner leaders, Youth Ambassadors are expected to take what they learn into their school communities by raising awareness, encouraging positive behaviour, promoting respectful relationships and contributing to efforts that prevent violence and strengthen safety among learners.

Through this approach, the Safe Schools Clubs seek to strengthen learner leadership and ownership, ensuring that learners are not only part of conversations about safer schools, but are also active participants in shaping the school environments in which they learn.

Ilitha Labantu will be hosting a training on Basic Counselling Skills as part of Pillar 2: Educator Empowerment Hub of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative (SSLC) Programme.

Educators are often among the first trusted adults to notice when a learner is experiencing emotional, social, or behavioural difficulties. Having the skills to listen, communicate effectively, and respond appropriately can make an important difference in how learners experience support within the school environment.

This training seeks to strengthen educators' confidence and practical skills in providing appropriate first-line support while recognizing the boundaries of their role.

Building on the foundation established through the previous modules on Gender Sensitivity and Trauma-Informed Practice and Identifying Key Signs of Abuse, this third module will focus on active listening and empathetic communication, building trust and rapport with learners, supporting learners experiencing emotional challenges, basic counselling techniques and appropriate responses, as well as referral processes and collaboration with relevant support services.

Through practical and learner-centred approaches, the training will equip educators with skills to engage sensitively with learners, respond to concerns appropriately, and contribute to school environments where learners feel heard, supported, and safe. The Educator Empowerment Hub continues to strengthen educators' capacity to play a meaningful role in promoting learner wellbeing and safer, more supportive and trauma-responsive schools.

Date: 21 & 22 August 2026
Time: 09:30 – 14:00
Venue: Philippi Village

Ilitha Labantu and Community Cohesion hosted the W17 Network Meeting at Bertha Spaces in Mowbray, Cape Town, bringing together organisations and stakeholders working across the gender-based violence response sector to strengthen collaboration and coordination.

The meeting provided a platform for partners to share organisational updates, review referral pathways and discuss key issues affecting the GBV response sector. It also created an opportunity for organisations to strengthen relationships, share experiences and identify opportunities for improving coordination and support for survivors.

The discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining strong networks and effective referral pathways, ensuring that organisations working in the GBV sector are better connected and able to respond to the needs of survivors and communities.

Through the W17 Network, organisations continue to connect, share knowledge and strengthen collective efforts towards a more coordinated and responsive GBV support system.

Ilitha Labantu hosted an Educator Induction Session for educators and SBST leaders in the Metro East District at Isivivana Centre, Khayelitsha, as part of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative.

The session provided an opportunity to orient educators and SBST leaders to the Educator Empowerment Hub, consolidate and finalize the training dates, and clarify the focus of the upcoming modules. The participating leaders also shared their experiences and reflected on the challenges they encounter in their respective roles within their schools, providing valuable insight into the realities of supporting educators and learners at school level.

The participating leaders will take the information back to their respective schools to ensure that the broader group of participating educators are informed and prepared for the training programme.

The first Educator Empowerment Hub module, Gender Sensitivity and Trauma-Informed Practice, will take place on 4 and 5 September 2026 at Lookout Hill, Khayelitsha.

The induction marks an important step towards ensuring that the Educator Empowerment Hub responds meaningfully to the realities faced within schools and that participating educators are prepared to engage in the upcoming training programme.