Durban – Social Workers’ Empowerment, Training and Support (Swets), an NGO based in Inanda, north of Durban that assists gender-based violence (GBV) survivors received a donation of a new office space last week.
The new premises is in Sandile Mhlongo Road and was funded by tea brand, JOKO.
Thandiwe McCloy communications manager at People opposing women abuse (Powa), said Swets is one of 14 NGOs that Powa has partnered with through the #EndDomesticSilence initiative being run in partnership with JOKO.
“The initiative aims to end the silence surrounding domestic violence and increase the speaking out, reporting of, awareness and education around domestic violence. The partnership with Swets and the other partner organisations has included training them on various aspects of domestic violence, including, but not limited to, its many forms and signs, its contributing factors and effects and legal and practical steps to leave domestic violence.”
McCloy added that since its inception in 2016, Swets has been working out of a small room at the ANC offices in Inanda.
“Swets has now received larger office space to carry out its crucial work, in Inanda and surrounding communities. Their work includes providing abused women with counselling and support groups as well as referring people suffering other social problems to relevant service providers, including drug rehabilitation centres, Child Welfare, Home Affairs, Sassa and Thuthuzela Care Centres, which provide medical, counselling and legal services to survivors of GBV.”
Head of Swets, Nolizwi Potwana said that Inanda police station recorded the highest numbers of rapes and murders in the country between July and September 2022, so the importance of the NGO’s work cannot be overemphasised.
“Swets is made up of unemployed, registered social workers who volunteer their services, enabling them to practise their skills and gain valuable experience as they uplift communities. Our new work space will have three rooms made up of a counselling room, administration room and bathroom. Having a bigger, better office is a dream come true and we are grateful for this major support.”
Potwana added that with larger offices, they will be able to assist more people in the area, saving them from having to take long taxi journeys to the Department of Social Development, which is much further away.
“Another benefit of our new premises is that there is enough space to have meetings face-to-face rather than always having them online or at other establishments in our area, including our local library.”
Potwana said the NGO can also put up its own signage.
“Having signage means we will be taken more seriously, increasing our chances of accessing funding, which we have been struggling to attain. It will also enable us to achieve greater recognition, where more people know that we are a safe space where they can receive confidential, professional support to address their pain.”
Mpho Masilo, Powa’s head of projects and training, said that she hopes the new building will enable Swets to reach more abused women through counselling, healing days and trainings.
“Inanda is a GBV hot spot and many cases of violence against women are unreported due to fear and cultural norms. We are hoping this safe space will bring women together to talk about their experiences of abuse and motivate each other while on their road to recovery.”