Inside Stellenbosch’s Fight Against GBV

Loading player...
In this powerful episode, hosts Lesedi Mnisi and Jacolette Kloppers are joined by Carol van Zyl, Director of the Stellenbosch GBV Hub, and Dr Nontobeko Dyakopu, Lead Doctor at the Thuthuzela Care Centre in Ida’s Valley, Stellenbosch.

Carol and Dr Nontobeko take listeners inside the Stellenbosch GBV Centre – a 24/7 centre offering emergency medical care, trauma counselling, training, awareness programs, legal support, and safe accommodation for victims of gender-based violence. Since opening in February 2024, the centre has already supported over 500 victims from more than 30 residential areas – many of whom would not have had access to such services elsewhere.

The facility in Botmashoogte, Ida’s Valley consists of two double-story buildings that house:

· The Stellenbosch Thuthuzela Care Centre;
· Ring for Peace Cape Trust clinical services, providing access to emergency care and temporary accommodation;
· The Ring for Peace Cape Trust Operational Hub, responsible for collaboration among all the stakeholders; and
· INSPIRE (Initiative for Non-violence, Support, Prevention, Intervention), a GBV training facility managed by Stellenbosch University.

The conversation explores what GBV looks like in Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas, why many survivors still fear reporting, and what steps are being taken to reduce secondary trauma through a more humane, victim-centred approach. Dr Nontobeko also shares her team’s day-to-day experiences on the clinical frontline – how they cope with the emotional impact of their work, and why solidarity and teamwork are essential.

The guests also explain how students and community members can reach out to the Stellenbosch GBV Centre, all the contact details and available services, and how to invite the GBV Centre for outreach and education sessions.

If you or someone you know needs help, the Stellenbosch GBV Centre is open and ready to support you. Confidentiality is always respected.
20 May 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Whose Home Was Safe? | Prof Amanda Gouws on Women, Lockdown and COVID Diaries

August was Women's Month, with its annual invitation to reflect on equality, care, work, safety and belonging. On SiyakhulaLive, that reflection turns backwards – to a time not so long ago when COVID-19 turned everything upside down, and to the question of what that moment looked like through the eyes…
7 Sep 25 min

Success for Whom? | Making Sure Every Student Belongs

SU Student Success Initiative Series: Episode Seven. Recorded on Thursday 3 September 2026. Two students can sit in the same lecture hall, hand in the same assignment, and walk out with completely different senses of whether they belong there. This conversation asks whose definition of student success the university is…
7 Sep 51 min

From Silos to Synergy | How Stellenbosch University's Integrated Support Model Works

SU Student Success Initiative Series: Episode Three. Recorded on Friday 28 August 2026. Counsellors, academic advisers, faculty support coordinators, the CSCD, the Student Success Initiative. Students hear the names but rarely know who does what, or who to approach first. This conversation answers that — and argues you should not…
4 Sep 40 min