13/08/2026
🌸💜 SIBAMBENE WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP WOMEN’S DAY EVENT 2026 💜🌸
BREAK THE SILENCE. BUILD THE FUTURE.
MASIPHULE UKUTHULA. SAKHE IKAMVA.
Today, 13 August 2026, Langa Community Advice Services had the privilege of hosting a powerful, uplifting and meaningful Women’s Day gathering in partnership with the Sibambene Women’s Support Group.
Today was about much more than celebrating Women’s Day. It was about bringing women together, creating a safe space, sharing experiences, raising awareness, building solidarity and strengthening our collective commitment to fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
The name Sibambene truly captured the spirit of the day:
SIBAMBENE — WE STAND TOGETHER. 🤝🏾
🙏🏾 WE STARTED WITH PRAISE, WORSHIP & DANCE
Our programme began in the most beautiful way — with gospel music, praise, worship and dancing.
Women came together singing, dancing and celebrating life. The atmosphere was filled with joy, gratitude, sisterhood and hope.
It reminded us that even when we are dealing with serious and painful issues in our communities, women deserve spaces where they can celebrate, laugh, express themselves, heal and feel supported.
From the very beginning, the message was clear:
We are here. We are together. We are strong. We are Sibambene. ❤️
🤝🏾 OFFICIAL WELCOME
The official welcome was delivered by Ntomboxolo Ntlombeni - Langa GBVF Monitor
Her message emphasised the importance of women coming together, supporting one another and ensuring that Sibambene remains a safe and empowering space for women in our community.
She reminded us that when women stand together, we create strength, courage and hope for one another.
🌿 INTRODUCTION & GBVF AWARENESS
Ntomboxolo Ntlombeni and Amanda Hili, GBVF Monitors, introduced the programme and helped set the tone for the important conversations that followed.
Their contribution highlighted the importance of community-based GBVF awareness, early intervention, supporting survivors and ensuring that women know where to access help.
🌟 MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGE
We were honoured to have Mrs. Nozikhumbuzo Mam'Mnguni Gqeza Dondolo, LCAS Treasurer, deliver a powerful motivational address.
Her message encouraged women to recognise their own strength, believe in themselves and understand that their circumstances do not define their future.
She reminded us of the importance of resilience, self-worth, unity and supporting one another.
Her message was a powerful reminder that:
A woman’s story does not end with her struggles. There is always room to rise, rebuild and begin again. 🌺
⚖️ THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN IN FIGHTING GBVF
One of the key discussions of the day was facilitated by Anele Anorld Gqasana, Langa Community Advice Services Project Manager and GBVF Coordinator on:
“The Importance of Women in Fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.”
The discussion focused on the critical role women play as community leaders, advocates, supporters, educators and agents of change.
The discussion covered:
🔹 Breaking the silence around GBVF
🔹 Supporting survivors without judgement
🔹 Ending victim-blaming
🔹 Knowing and exercising women’s rights
🔹 Creating safe spaces for women to speak
🔹 Women’s leadership in community structures
🔹 Educating children about respect, consent and equality
🔹 Economic empowerment and independence
🔹 Strengthening community support systems
🔹 Encouraging men to become active partners in ending GBVF
One of the key messages shared was:
“Women are NOT responsible for GBVF, but women are powerful agents of change.”
We also emphasised that women cannot end GBVF alone.
Men, families, schools, religious institutions, government, law enforcement, civil society organisations, community leaders and the entire community must be part of the solution.
I-GBVF ngumcimbi woluntu lonke.
🏘️ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MESSAGE
We were honoured to have Gretta Nocawe Breegado Siganga, Community Development Worker (CDW) responsible for Langa, join us and share a message of support.
Her contribution highlighted the importance of community development, collaboration and ensuring that residents are connected to available services and support structures.
The presence of community development structures at events such as this demonstrates the importance of working together across sectors to address the challenges facing our communities.
🩺 SOCIAL & HEALTH ACTIVISM MESSAGE
We also welcomed Mamakopo Mathebula, Social and Health Activist, who shared an important message of support with the women.
Her contribution expanded our conversation beyond GBVF to include women’s health, health awareness and the importance of taking care of our overall wellbeing.
She spoke about the importance of cancer awareness, including cervical cancer awareness, and also highlighted prostate cancer awareness, reminding us that health education must involve the entire community — both women and men.
Her message reminded us:
Our fight for safer communities must go hand in hand with our fight for healthier communities.
Women’s empowerment is not only about knowing our rights and fighting GBVF.
It is also about taking care of our bodies, accessing healthcare, getting information, seeking assistance early and encouraging our families and communities to prioritise health.
❤️ WOMEN’S VOICES – TESTIMONIES
One of the most emotional and powerful parts of the programme was the opportunity for Sibambene Women’s Support Group participants to share their testimonies and lived experiences.
These testimonies created a space for women to speak from the heart.
They reminded us that behind every statistic is a real person, a real story and a real life.
The courage of the women who shared their experiences deserves recognition.
Thank you for trusting the space. Thank you for using your voices. Thank you for reminding other women that they are not alone.
AWUWEDWA. SIBAMBENE. 💜
💜 FROM SILENCE TO ACTION
Throughout today’s gathering, we were challenged to move beyond simply talking about GBVF.
We must move from silence to action.
We must listen.
We must believe survivors.
We must support without judgement.
We must educate our children.
We must challenge harmful attitudes.
We must speak out against violence.
We must know our rights.
We must help women access services.
We must strengthen community networks.
And we must hold perpetrators accountable through lawful processes.
We asked ourselves:
“What can I personally do to help create a community where women are safer?”
Maybe it starts with listening.
Maybe it starts with supporting a friend.
Maybe it starts with reporting abuse.
Maybe it starts with educating our children.
Maybe it starts with challenging another person when they make harmful or sexist comments.
Maybe it starts with simply saying:
“I believe you. Awuwedwa.”
🌺 SIBAMBENE IS MORE THAN A SUPPORT GROUP
Today demonstrated why spaces such as Sibambene are so important.
Sibambene provides an opportunity for women to:
❤️ Connect
❤️ Share
❤️ Learn
❤️ Support one another
❤️ Build confidence
❤️ Access information
❤️ Raise community concerns
❤️ Discuss GBVF
❤️ Promote health awareness
❤️ Build solidarity
❤️ Find strength in one another
Sibambene is about creating a community where women know that they do not have to face challenges alone.
🙏🏾 VOTE OF THANKS
The programme concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Viwe Robert Sandlana, Langa Community Advice Services Managing Director.
We sincerely appreciate the acknowledgement of everyone who contributed to making today's gathering possible and meaningful.
👏🏾 A SPECIAL THANK YOU FROM LCAS
Langa Community Advice Services would like to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who contributed to today’s event:
💜 Sibambene Women’s Support Group
💜 Mrs. Nozikhumbuzo Gqeza Dondolo – LCAS Treasurer
💜 Ntomboxolo Ntlombeni – GBVF Monitor
💜 Amanda Hili – GBVF Monitor
💜 Anele Gqasana – LCAS Project Manager
💜 Gretta Siganga – CDW responsible for Langa
💜 Mamakopo Mathebula – Social & Health Activist
💜 Viwe Robert Sandlana – LCAS Managing Director
💜 All Sibambene participants who shared their stories
💜 All women who attended and participated
💜 Our community stakeholders and partners
💜 Everyone who contributed to the success of the day
And to every woman who walked through our doors today:
Siyabulela. Enkosi ngokuba yinxalenye yeSibambene. ❤️
Your presence matters.
Your voice matters.
Your story matters.
Your wellbeing matters.
🌺 OUR COMMITMENT CONTINUES
Today may be over, but the work continues.
At Langa Community Advice Services, we remain committed to strengthening community-based support, promoting access to justice and information, raising awareness around GBVF, empowering women and young people, and connecting community members with appropriate support services.
We believe that meaningful change happens when communities work together.
SISONKE.
SIYAKHOKELA.
SIPHILA.
Together, we support.
Together, we lead.
Together, we thrive.
MASIPHULE UKUTHULA. SAKHE IKAMVA.
BREAK THE SILENCE. BUILD THE FUTURE.
🌸 Happy Women’s Month from Langa Community Advice Services and Sibambene Women’s Support Group! 🌸
📍 Langa Community Advice Services
📞 021 694 8823
📧 [email protected]
📸 More pictures and videos from today’s powerful gathering coming soon!
