Western Cape leading in efforts to address GBV
The European Union (EU) has been tracking South Africa’s Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). It has found the Western Cape Government (WCG) is leading the country in terms of the implementation of this strategy.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has been coordinating the implementation of this strategy across all the other provincial government departments. The Western Cape is the only province in South Africa that is doing this.
According to its monitoring of the strategy, the EU has found that the Western Cape is the only province so far to have achieved 100% and 98% respectively to dedicating resources and facilities to achieving the goals of the strategy. Other provinces’ achievement rates for these criteria range from 45% to 85% for dedicated resources, and 26% to 86% for facilities.
Provincial Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said, “This achievement comes as no surprise because of our dedicated staff within our department, across the WCG and those from partner organisations who have made it their mission to go above and beyond to strengthen support services for victims and survivors, as well as trying to address the root causes of abuse and domestic violence through transversal programmes. Through interventions like GBV shelters, dedicated GBVF social workers (of which there are 24 at DSD regional offices), and innovations like the GBV Ambassador programmes, we have shown how seriously we take this scourge – addressing it 365 days a year.”
On 25 February 2025 the department launched the 8th GBV Ambassador programme for the province, this time in the Central Karoo region. The ambassadors are from Beaufort West, Murraysburg, Nelspoort, Leeu-Gamka, Prince Albert, and Laingsburg and will operate in their local communities.
The other GBV programmes are operating in Swartland, Delft, Grabouw, Philippi, Heinz Park, Ceres, and Metro North (Dunoon, Bishop Lavis, Langa, Elsies River, and Fisantekraal).
GBV ambassadors – who are trained volunteers – provide information about support services available to residents for the intervention and prevention of GBV.
GBV Ambassador Jan Koopman from Beaufort West said, “I became an ambassador because too many men are suffering in silence because they do not want to come forward and report matters of abuse. So, I hope to be a voice for other men, so that they can deal with their trauma too.”
Meanwhile, 21-year old GBV Ambassador Berdine Kopela from Murraysburg had a message for other young people, “Be curious, be part of such community programmes because it may be advantageous for you. There is a lot of violence in my town, so I wanted to be part of changing that.”
Minister Londt added, “GBV Ambassadors also do referrals to DSD and the South African Police Service (SAPS), and advocate for victims of abuse or domestic violence who cannot speak for themselves. These volunteers play a significant role in raising awareness about available support services. This programme is just one of the many innovative solutions the Western Cape Government has implemented to ensure residents are aware about the help that is available. Increased awareness through the WCG GBV Implementation Plan has led to more GBV survivors reporting their abuse and accessing psychosocial support services like trauma counselling.”
To access more information about services offered by the Department for GBV victims, call our toll-free number on 0800 220 250, send an email to SD.CustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za or visit:
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development/service/victim-empowerment-programme
Media Enquiries
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt
Department of Social Development