Moonsamy approaches CNN after lack of action on murder-case of her daughter

Far too many women suffer behind closed doors in our country, and abuse survivor Leonie Viljoen is taking a bold step; in fact, she’s climbing Kilimanjaro to empower those silenced by fear. Leonie, who twice survived abuse during her lifetime, has decided to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain peak in Africa, to raise awareness for the women-led organisation 1000 Women Trust and its initiatives, which support women who have been subjected to gender-based violence. The mother of two toddlers shared that taking on the 5895-metre climb wasn’t for the thrill or the glory of the photos at the top of the mountain but in support of the women who have endured pain deeper than any crevasse on that mountain. 1000 Women Trust is inviting all women and men to join the 1000 Women Virtual Walk/ 27–30 June 2025 *Show up for yourself* We’re walking together, to support a powerful cause! From 27 to 30 June 2025, walk, run, cycle or just move! in solidarity with _Leonie Viljoen as she prepares to climb Mount Kilimanjaro_— breaking the silence on Gender-Based Violence. Let’s take steps toward a safer, more empowered world for women and girls. Your participation helps amplify this vital message. Entry Fee: R300 Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTHBMU0A51N6xIaJz_GETA6SGeBCluhYhvPIXzBMu6pedyKA/viewform?usp=sharing Whether it’s around your block, in your living room, or on a mountain trail—your walk matters. #1000WomenVirtualWalk #WalkForChange #BreakTheSilence #GBVawareness #SupportLeonie #ClimbForACause #ShowUpForYourself I am doing this in my own community and donate to 1000 Women Trust https://www.givengain.com/project/leonie-kili8

IN SPITE of all the campaigning, advocacy and awareness programmes the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues to hover ominously over South Africa as the country celebrates Youth Month . At a time when young people should be celebrated and given every encouragement to pursue excellence, instead, the overshadowing reality of reported ever increasing incidents of murder, rape, and kidnapping escalate douses optimism. While the government continue to ring the alarm bells about the the dire state of GBV in the country, damning is the prevailing view from advocacy groups that the government's actions in response thus far have proven insufficient. (Daily News, 16 th June 2025. The statistics are stark: between January and March 2025, 966 women and 314 children fell victim to murder. Tina Thiart, co-founder of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, said these statistics paint the disturbing picture who regularly speaks about gender-based violence, but do not have a coherent vision and comprehensive action-plan not only to tackle the scourge, but consistently reduce femicide, rape and sexual assault. “The police and the national prosecuting a uthority regularly fail women and children, why there is little or no evidence of a large-scale preventative campaign to change the hearts and minds of men in South Africa,” said Thiart. "These are not mere statistics; they represent lives lost amid a system that too often fails to protect the most vulnerable," warns Siyabulela Monakali, communications manager for Ilitha Labantu, a non-profit organisation founded in 1989. Monakali elaborates that the pervasive underfunding of support programmes, lack of enforcement of existing laws, and an overloaded legal system contribute to a culture of failure that retraumatises survivors. He criticises the government's approach to combatting GBVF as reactive, often characterised by bursts of activity that fizzle out without meaningful change. (Daily News 16 th June 2025). 1000 Women Trust actively engage communities through media, social media, and direct outreach initiatives to raise awareness about GBV and its consequences. Through our # HearMeToo project where we gather real stories of South African women directly affected by GBVF and publish true stories on our website. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, visit us on www.1000women.co.za or email us to info@1000women.co.za .

CAPE TOWN. - The deadline of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust’s national From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition to mobilise learners across South African schools to address bullying, is drawing closer. The deadline will be on the 20 th June, 2025. 1000 Women Trust’s virtual walk event is from 27 th to the 30 th June. Get your T-shirt. You can register now for the Trauma volunteer and anti-bully training for July. It is free. The women’s festival at Artscape in Cape Town is on 7 th August 2025. The From Bystander to Upstander competition invites schools and learners to showcase how bullying can be addressed in constructive ways through creative mediums such as posters, songs, poems, stories and graffiti and thereby change the culture of harmful behaviour at school grounds, has been launched by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust. The Trust invites participation in the competition, encouraging schools to showcase how the 5 D's of being an upstander can be utilised to intervene when bullying occurs at schools. The 5 D’s - Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct - as strategies to stand up against bullying, shifting from passive bystanders to proactive upstanders. These strategies include distracting the bully, delegating to seek help, discreetly documenting the incident, delaying to emotionally support the victim, or directly intervening, Individuals or groups can enter the From-Bystander-to-Upstander-competition by tagging their entry with #1000women1Voice on social media. Or they can email their entry to newsletter@1000women.co.za . Multiple entries are allowed and work can be done individually or in groups. Use any medium – posters, songs, poetry, graffiti, stories and more to showcase how you can intervene using the 5 D’s to foster awareness of bullying and promote a supportive school environment. The winning entry will receive R1000. The deadline for the submission of entries is on the 20 th June 2025.

CAPE TOWN - A national From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition to mobilise learners across South African schools to address bullying through creative mediums such as posters, songs, poems, stories, or graffiti and change the culture of harmful behaviour on school grounds, has been launched by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, an organization committed to creating awareness of gender-based violence and femicide. 1000 Women Trust invites participation in the competition, encouraging schools to showcase how the 5 D's of being an upstander can be utilised to intervene when bullying occurs at schools. Learners are invited to use the 5 D’s - Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct - as strategies to stand up against bullying, shifting from passive bystanders to proactive upstanders. Tina Thiart, co-founder and executive trustee at 1000 Women Trust, explained the significance of the 5 D's: "A bystander witnesses bullying and does nothing, whereas an upstander takes action against it by employing the 5 Ds. These strategies include distracting the bully, delegating to seek help, discreetly documenting the incident, delaying to emotionally support the victim, or directly intervening. “We want to encourage learners to become change-makers,” said Thiart. “We want to inspire them through this competition to constructively engage when bullying occurs in order to peacefully confront the offenders so that there could be a significant change in the culture of bullying in South Africa,” Thiart added. “This is a fun-filled competition and it encourages innovative ways of speaking out against bullying. Yet, we should not forget the serious nature of the scourge in this country,” Thiart added. Annually, bullying affects 3.2 million learners in South Africa. Around 57% of South African learners have been bullied at least once in their life. 67% of these victims will not report their abuse as they believe that they will not be assisted. Learners across the country continue to suffer physical and emotional trauma at the hands of callous classmates and teachers. Last year, a grade 12 student at Kgabo Secondary School in Ga-Mokgokong, 21-year-old Joseph Maimela, took his own life after allegedly being bullied by his teachers who reportedly told him that he would “amount to nothing”. And he is not the only learner who has resorted to such extremes in efforts to escape the trauma of bullying at schools. The Department of Health reported 7,426 suicide attempts by children younger than 18 between April and December last year, said Thiart. 1000 Women Trust has been a leading organization in the creation of awareness of bullying and has distributed more than 5000 pamphlets to hundreds of schools in all provinces. Its comprehensive anti-bullying-course has been attended free on-line by more than 11000 parents and teachers the past five years. Natalie Chisikana, a gender-based violence warrior of 1000 Women Trust who helps to create safe spaces for abused women, underlined the importance of the From-Bystander-to-Upstander competition. “Learners bully for different reasons. Some are attention-seekers, others do it because they are bored. The competition highlights the negativeness of bullying and encourages learners to not merely be spectators but to take action,” said Chisikana, who finished as runner-up of the 2024-competition. Chisikana, a tutor who assists struggling learners with their homework, said one of the challenges of bullying is what happens after bullying is reported. “Sometimes it is reported but the teacher who receives the report does not take action. Or if a bully is disciplined, he and his friends will wait outside the school gate for the person who reported the bullying.” Lucretia Samsam, a tireless worker and community activist who utilizes the 100 Women Trust anti-bullying toolkit to engage with teachers, parents and learners in Freedom Park, an informal settlement in Ottery, says sometimes the prime offenders with regards to bullying are parents who bully their children. “I use workshops to engage with parents about the dangers of bullying. The from Bystander-to-Upstander-competition will help to mobilize learners and teachers in communities to engage constructively to address the scourge of bullying.” Individuals or groups can enter the From-Bystander-to-Upstander-competition by tagging their entry with #1000women1Voice on social media. Or they can email their entry to newsletter@1000women.co.za . Multiple entries are allowed and work can be done individually or in groups. Use any medium – posters, songs, poetry, graffiti, stories and more to showcase how you can intervene using the 5 D’s to foster awareness of bullying and promote a supportive school environment. The winning entry will receive R1000. The deadline for the submission of entries is on the 20 th June 2025. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or email the Trust on info@1000women.co.za

South Africa must end the culture of impunity surrounding sexual harassment which has become commonplace in the country, says Tina Thiart, cofounder and trustee of 1000 Women Trust. “We observe sexual harassment month in April in South Africa to create awareness of this scourge and to educate communities and individuals to deal with this crime,” said Thiart. “Sexual harassment is rife in South Africa. According to a survey by the South African Human Rights Commission, approximately 30 % of women experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, “In the South African legal profession, 43% of women reported being sexually harassed. This misconduct resulted in 25% of sexual harassment targets indicating that the conduct contributed to them leaving or considering leaving their workplace, according to a survey by the International Bar Association (IBA),“ Thiart said. Sexual harassment raised its ugly head recently when revelations were made of widespread sexual abuse by senior officials of the Eastern Cape provincial government. The head of the department of public works and infrastructure, Thandowethu Mandu, was placed on special leave pending an investigation into accusations that he had demanded special sexual favours from a junior subordinate. Subsequently Anele Mda, a gender and social justice activist, revealed that she had received testimonies from 110 women who claimed to have been sexually violated by senior officials within the provincial Eastern Cape government, claiming there was a sex-for-job culture in the Eastern Cape government and that eight departments were involved. Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge faced a misconduct investigation by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal, which could in 2025 due to a sexual harassment complaint laid against him by judge secretary Andiswa Mengo. “The ability by civic society and organizations like 1000 Women Trust and others to mobilize South Africans to protest sexual harassment is crucial. If sexual predators are not held accountable, they will feel emboldened to commit their heinous crimes,” Thiart said. Asked what can be done to change the culture of sexual harassment, Thiart said: “Ït is crucial to report incidents, implement robust policies, and provide comprehensive training in workplaces and educational institutions. One must also support victims and ensure access to legal avenues like protection orders. “If you experience sexual harassment, report it to your employer or relevant authorities, such as the police or a legal professional. “Reach out to organizations that offer support to victims of sexual harassment, such as 1000 Women Trust and Sonke Gender Justice. “You can apply for a protection order in the Magistrate's Court to prevent further harassment,” Thiart explained. “Companies must stablish and communicate clear policies on sexual harassment, outlining prohibited behaviors and reporting procedures. Provide regular training on sexual harassment prevention and response to all employees and students, Thiart said. “Companies must regularly assess the effectiveness of policies and training programs, and make necessary adjustments. They must be proactive in addressing potential issues and creating a culture of respect and safety. Collective agreements should be guided by the provisions of the Code of Good Practice on Sexual Harassment in the workplace,” Thiart added. She said The Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011 provides legal avenues for victims to seek protection. “Sexual assault, including any act that causes contact between the mouth, genital organs or anus of one person (or the breasts of a woman) and any part of the body of another person, is a criminal offense,” Thiart explained. Sexual harassment can be a form of discrimination based on sex, and is prohibited under the Employment Equity Act,” Thiart pointed out. Thiart said sexual harassment is defined as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates the dignity of the complainant or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment can cause significant psychosocial harm, including depression and PTSD. “We encourage allyship and support for those who have experienced harassment. The trauma training course as well as the anti-bully course developed and easily accessible on-line, have become trusted allies to support victims of sexual harassment,” Thiart said. 1000 Women Trust is a Women's Organizations that aim to raise awareness around Gender-Based Violence, rape and abuse and mobilize resources. These resources make it possible for us to assist women-led organizations with grants and skills development. For more information, contact the Trust on 0614690479 or send a mail to inf@1000women.co.za Download the Documents below Policy Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Oct. 7 1000 Women GBV in the workplace Sexual Offences and related matters 29 Sug 2023 NACOSA webinar workplace Presentation 4 Sept 2024 PES

Amnesty International has slammed South Africa for their lack of action to address persistently high levels of gender-based violence in the country. Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed, said in the global report that was published on Tuesday 29 th April 2025 that the release of the report comes two days after South Africa commemorated 31 years of freedom. However, the majority in this country are not free and are shackled by the lack of access to their basic rights and services. “Every year, Amnesty International condemns the persistently high levels of gender-based violence and widespread crime in South Africa, urging authorities to take decisive action. Yet, year after year, little to no meaningful progress is made, and perpetrators continue to operate with impunity. This continues despite clear evidence that the criminal justice system is failing victims,” Mohamed said. “We are exhausted by the cycle of raising these issues and seeing no real change. We highlight them year after year in our The State of the World’s Human Rights report, yet the government remains unresponsive in practically tackling these issues. “The report once again exposes the South African government’s ongoing failure to deliver essential services to its people. Many communities still endure chronic water shortages, children are forced to use unsafe, illegal plain pit toilets in schools, and while the government proclaims a strong commitment to addressing climate change, tangible progress remains painfully slow.” Tina Thiart, co-founder of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, welcomed the report by Amnesty International. “I concur with the thoughts, fears and concerns expressed by Shenilla Mohamed. “The challenge we have in South Africa is that government is paying lip-service to addressing the high levels of gender-based violence. Unless there is serious reform and revolutionary changes made to law enforcement agencies in order to radically improve their service-delivery to abused women in this country. “Unless government broaden and deepen its efforts to change the hearts and minds of men in this country, South Africa will remain one of the world’s worst offenders with regards to GBV,” Thiart added. 1000 Women Trust is a Women's Organizations that aim to raise awareness around Gender-Based Violence, rape and abuse and mobilize resources. These resources make it possible for us to assist women-led organizations with grants and skills development. For more information, contact the Trust by sending a mail to info@1000women.co.za . Or phone on 0614690479.

Women For Change's Statement on NPA’s Decision to Drop the Cwecwe Rape Case We are outraged, we are heartbroken. Once again, the justice system has failed a survivor, a little girl who is only seven years old. The National Prosecuting Authority’s decision not to pursue prosecution in the Cwecwe rape case - citing "not enough evidence for a successful prosecution" - is not just disheartening; it is damning. Cwecwe’s case became one of the most viral rape cases in South Africa. A mother spoke out for her child. The public rallied behind them, leading to weeks of protest actions, and media coverage. And yet, despite all the public outrage, no one will be held accountable. If high-profile cases like Cwecwe, the Krugersdorp gang rape, Tim Omotoso Case, and others can't even make it past the first hurdle of prosecution, what does that mean for the millions of women and girls whose cases never reach the headlines? The answer is chilling: they are all being failed in silence. We cannot accept “no foreign DNA” as the end of the story. Women and children deserve more than a sterile press release. They deserve thorough investigations. They deserve justice, not a system that throws their cases out when it becomes inconvenient or complex. The devastating reality is this: if justice is denied in the most visible cases, then justice is dead for the rest. We demand accountability. We demand a justice system that works for women and children, not against them. And we demand that the NPA and SAPS stop treating Gender-Based Violence as an administrative nuisance instead of the national emergency that it is. #womenforchange #JusticeForCwecwe Tina Thiart Contact: womensfundsa@gmail.com Mobile Phone: +27 732079079 South Africa

PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF 1000 WOMEN TRUST: 9 TH MAY 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kilimanjaro: Viljoen climbs with a higher purpose for GBV-survivors silenced by fear Leonie Viljoen, a wellness coach in Boston, Bellville who twice survived abuse during her lifetime, has decided to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain peak in Africa, at the end of Junie to raise awareness of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust and its initiatives to create safe spaces for women who have been subjected to gender-based violence. Viljoen, a mother of two toddlers, says she has not decided to climb the 5895 metres to the summit of Kilimanjaro for the thrill or the glory of the photos at the top of the mountain. “Rather, I do if for the women who’ve endured pain deeper than any crevasse on that mountain. I climb for women subjected to gender-based violence whose fight is steeper, their endurance greater and their courage unlimited,” Viljoen said. “And I climb for 1000 Women Trust, who as an organization has crated initiatives for women to report sexual abuse without fear. “Each step I take is for the woman silenced by fear. For the girl told her pain is private. For the survivor who wakes up every day and chooses to keep going. The altitude will test my body, but it’s their stories that weigh on my heart. And it’s their strength that will push me higher,” she says. “Many women suffer sexual abuse and don’t know what their rights are or what the appropriate and meaningful next steps should look like. “Many suffer psychologically and the abuse can drive them to the edge of despair, instead of reporting it. “And that is where an organization like 1000 Women Trust is enormously helpful,” said Viljoen. “1000 Women Trust is a lifeline. Through its trauma training course and the establishment of the GBV-Warriors-initiative it offers a shelter, safety and the fierce belief that every woman deserves to live free from fear. When I ascend Kilimanjaro, it is to raise financial support so that 1000 Women Trust can expand their services and establish an even wider and deeper footprint,” Viljoen says. “Help me turn every meter I ascend into a step toward justice, dignity, and healing. Join me. Support 1000 Women Trust. And together, let’s rise — higher than we ever thought possible,” Viljoen said. Viljoen is a member of a party of eight who will start climbing on 25 th June. Their trip will last eight days. "Climbing Kilimanjaro has been a goal of mine since 2018. I climb with passion and purpose,” Viljoen said. “Showcasing resilience to reach the top despite what I had to endure in my life. “This is me showing up, for myself and the millions of women that have been/is exposed to GBV. “Strengthen my hand by donating now and link to GivenGain,” Viljoen said. People who want to support Viljoen financially for the benefit of 1000 Women Trust, can do it on the following link: https://www.givengain.com/project/leonie-raising-funds-for-1000-women-trust-93660 . Viljoen also invited women to join the Virtual Walk. A virtual walk is an event where participants complete the distance at their own time, location, and pace, rather than all together at a specific time and place. Participants register for the walk online, choose their own route, track their walk with a fitness tracker or app, and then submit their results to receive a medal or other finisher swag. “I want to call women to action to do the Kilimanjaro-event in their own time and place,”said Viljoen. “Run 5895 metres, walk 5895 metres or cycle 5895 metres would be ways to do the virtual walk in support of my ciimb. People who want to enter, can give detail to intern@1000women.co.za . “Why it could be advantageous to do the Virtual Walk is to get Leonie to the summit of Kilimanjaro, to receive a 1000 Women T-shirt and to do it in support of the many GBV-Warriors who daily support GBV-Warriors. Women also do it in solidarity with women around South Africa, and in support of more safe rooms in GBV-hotspots. They also do it to strengthen 1000 Women Trust,” said Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, visit them on www.1000women.co.za or phone them on (061)4690479 or send a mail to info@1000women.co.za . Press release compiled by Fanie Heyns on behalf of 1000 Women Trust. For more information, contact Leonie Viljoen on 076-6356430 .

Gender-based violence cannot be a normalized ill, wear Orange on 25 th March! Pain and the alarming levels of sexual violence have become normalized ills in South Africa. On Human Rights Day on Friday 21 st March 2025. South Africa commemorated 21 st March 1960, a day on which 69 people were shot and killed by the police in Sharpeville and 180 wounded when they protested against pass laws. The responsible police officers were not apprehended and did no spend time behind bars for this evil crime. But what about other South Africans who daily pass away in a nail of bullets in 2025. What about 16023 women and 2164 children who were sexually assaulted between September and December 2024 in South Africa. What about 11802 women who were raped in the same period. And what is also deeply worrying, is that the front pages of the media were dominated the past three months with reports of sexual harassment of women and sexual attacks by teachers on learners. Yet, there are times when you sense that South Africans almost accept these alarming revelations as a new normal. In February 2025, the minister of sport, Gayton McKenzie, pleaded with the South African cricket team to boycott a match in the International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy tournament against Afghanistan because of this country’s institutionalized abuse of women and their laws that prohibit women to play in sports teams and receive formal education. He did not speak a word about the levels of gender-based violence against SA women, about the SA government’s inability and abject failure to protect its own women. Can one ask what the newly established national council on gender-based violence and femicide is currently doing. They have to work alongside the social development departments, health departments, basic education departments and the police. Coordination is needed. Would this council need more time to find its feet, or has it been asleep behind the wheel since it was formed in November 2024? It is important that government bring boots closer to community. It is important to expand community-policing partnerships to proactively address localised criminal issues, particularly in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and the Eastern Cape. The past month, four teachers were found guilty of sexual assault and improper sexual behaviour towards learners. The Education Lavour Relations Councill dismissed the teachers, two from Gauteng and one each from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, after finding them guilty of sexual misconduct. In the Eastern Cape, a report by news24 and City Press exposed widespread sexual harassment of women in the Eastern Cape Provincial government, and a sex-for-jobs culture. A gender advocate shared how 110 women shared shocking details with her on how they were subjected to sexual harassment in the Eastern Cape offices. But that investigation by the premier Oscar Mabuyane has come to a standstill. Nothing has happened. The challenges that ordinary South Africans face, is that the public has become almost accustomed to these abuses. It has become a new normal. That is why an organization like 1000 Women Trust is such an important role player in creating awareness of GBV. On Tuesday 25 th March and on the 25 th day of each month, women and a few good men will be wearing Orange to create awareness of gender-based violence in South Africa. 1000 Women Trust has recently established Project Orange – the creation of safe spaces and rooms and offices where GBV-Warriors, who are well trained, assist women and give them counselling and support in the critical 24 hours after a GBV-attack. It is good that the country has 65 Thuthuzela Care Centres to support women subjected to GBV, but it is not nearly sufficient as there are numerous GBV-hot spots and the Thuthuzela Cae Centres do not cover all the hotspots. And that is why Project Orange is a game-changer and a life-saver. “We ask all people to wear Orange tomorrow as part of 1000 Women’s Project Orange and #maketheworldORANGE,”says Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust. The 1000 Women Trust is a Women's Organizations that aim to raise awareness around Gender-Based Violence, rape and abuse and mobilize resources. These resources make it possible for us to assist women-led organizations with grants and skills development. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, send us a mail to info@1000women.co.za or phone us on 061-4690479.