Siya Phambili - a glimmer of hope | Graaff-Reinet Advertiser

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - While still in its initiation phase, the non-profit organisation, Siya Phambili, offers a glimmer of hope for abused women in Graaff-Reinet.

Well-known resident Sakkie van Zyl, has been working on the project for over a year.

He explains that while the project has broad support from several individuals and organisations, much still needs to be done and a lot of support is required. But it has the potential to provide hope for women trapped in cycles of abuse.

Van Zyl explains, "About a year ago a concerned resident asked me to start a shelter for women due to my involvement with CMR (Christelike Maatskaplike Raad)."

Van Zyl consulted the late Jenny van Jaarsveld from the Victim Support Centre who said that more than eighty local women need support every month due to abusive circumstances created by poverty, domestic violence and self-harm.

This shocking figure was confirmed by SAPS.

A wide spectrum of role players including social workers, pastors and counsellors were invited to an introductory meeting and a steering committee was formed. The committee decided to register a non-profit organisation, Siya Phambili, and a constitution was drafted.

Siya Phambili will offer women experiencing trauma a safe haven, support and counselling. A site outside Graaff-Reinet has been identified and secured and the Assembly Church was recently given a house in Graaff-Reinet to be utilised as a community resource.

This house has also been offered as a safe house to Siya Phambili.

"The idea is that from the police station, if the lady cannot go home, she can receive immediate care there," says Van Zyl.

The Department of Social Development has in principle agreed to assist the shelter with funding, advice and psycho-social support.

Siya Phambili will collaborate with Komanani White Door, a local victim support centre, to identify women in need of support.

The programme will focus on healing, reintegration into the family and the creation of mentors - women teaching women - thus creating "solvers of problems".

Van Zyl speaks of healing, devotion, and skills training. His spiritual beliefs weave through his words but he is quick to note that while religious in its grounding, the shelter will not privilege any particular religion.

Two weeks ago a workshop was facilitated with key stakeholders to chart a way forward. Critical areas for implementation were identified and sub-committees were established to deal with finances, communication, and to address operations such as the daily needs and challenges facing women in a place of safety.

"Graaff-Reineters must understand that this is a project for and by Graaff-Reineters. We are still in our teething stage. There are many basic issues that must be addressed," stresses Van Zyl.

Belinda du Toit, who is also part of the Siya Phambili initiative, emphasises that the primary focus for 2022 is to equip the Graaff-Reinet safe house with trained staff and resources. "We will have to develop a network of helpful institutions.

We hope, together with the community of Graaff-Reinet, to reach and help many women. We need a wide range of support."

Anyone that can assist or wants to make a donation can contact Sakkie van Zyl on 076 279 4182.

A planning workshop for the non-profit organisation, Siya Phambili, took place two-weeks ago. In front, from left: Portia Mqoboli, Julie Biggs, Gloria Jafta, Sue Edwards, Maudy Galvert, Belinda du Toit and Pinky Ngewangu. Back: Estelle Ellis, Wessel Landman, John Biggs, Paul Skut and Sakkie van Zyl.