Vodacom KwaZulu Natal region has invested over
*R600 000* into restoring the long-standing Crisis Centre *in Newcastle*.
The centre has become a much-needed refuge for women and children in the
surrounding communities offering safety and security to those who have been
abandoned or fallen victim to Gender Based Violence (GBV).
"At Vodacom we view violence
against women and children as a violation of human rights and the greatest
impediment towards gender equality. Therefore, our goal is to create an
ecosystem in South Africa that tackles GBV from every angle," said Imran
Khan, ME for Vodacom KwaZulu Natal region. "Facilities like the Newcastle
Crisis Centre are crucial to the success of this ecosystem. The insights and
experience that staff members bring is invaluable to our fight against
GBV."
The
Newcastle Crisis Centre opened its doors in 1996, under the umbrella of the
Community Policing Forum situated at the provincial hospital. Thanks to
passionate staff and funding from the private sector, the facility was able to
see some growth and improvements throughout the late 1990s. In 2006 the
facility was officially registering as a non-profit organisation after 10 years
of providing much needed help in the community.
Since
then, the centre has continued function as a haven for abandoned and abused
children and victims of GBV dealing with a steady increase in case load. After
being recognised by the Minister for Social Development, the facility was able
to secure more funding which they used to expand their operation, providing
counselling and developing outreach programmes to schools on topics such as
rape, sexually transmitted diseases, and domestic violence.
This
project which saw major repairs done to the Crisis Centres facilities -
including replacing ceilings across the whole building, raising the walls of
the centre, installing new gutters, roof trusses, windows with burglar proofing
and electrical repairs needed to acquire a certificate of compliance - is some
of the work Vodacom Foundation and KwaZulu Natal region have undertaken at the
Newcastle Crisis Centre.
Incidents
of GBV remain extremely high in South Africa with 40% of women experiencing
some form of abuse in their lifetime. In 2022, KZN was top of that list with
the highest number of rape cases recorded in any province.
"In many ways the Newcastle Crisis
Centre embodies Vodacom's vision of creating a GBV ecosystem which aims to
create systemic change by addressing the problem wholistically. We are
extremely proud to be providing support to an organisation which is making such
a marked difference in the community and which aligns so closely to the values
we hold at Vodacom," concludes Khan.
By:
Kanto Okanta