People of faith

SPEAK OUT,

STAND UP,

COLLABORATE,

SHARE KNOWLEDGE,

CHALLENGE PARADIGMS,

ACT AND CHALLENGE

LED BY SURVIVORS IN THE CENTRE

TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Our history

In 2013, Tear Fund SA undertook research, led by the Stellenbosch University Unit for Religion and Development Research that listened to the voices of survivors about their experience with local churches. What came out very strongly was that the first place they wanted to go to when something traumatic happened was their church and it was often the last place they got the support they needed. Instead, they got judgement and stigmatisation. The research was presented at a meeting of leaders of diverse churches and a decision was made that churches needed to start working together to develop systems and structures that were responsive to survivor needs.

This gave birth to the WWSOSA chapter in SA within a global WWSOSA movement. Initially it was an informal collective and in 2016 work began to establish a formal structure, and WWSOSA registered as an NPO and PBO in April 2017. A key principle for WWSOSA has been to be guided by survivor voices and it has accompanied the initial survivor group as they have formed the own registered NPO, Phephisa Survivors Network. Phephisa continues to be a crucial advocacy partner. Our Constitution requires that 2 places on the Management Committee are held by survivor representatives to guide the leadership of the coalition, and ensure that survivor voices remain at its centre.

Why mobilise the faith sector to end GBV?

  • National Census statistics – over 80% of South Africa’s population self-identify as religious
    • the majority are Christian
  • Weekly captive audience
    • religious institutions continue to exert a great deal of influence over people’s attitudes and behaviour
  • Many assets of faith institutions
    • widespread social support networks
    • ubiquitous infrastructure
    • widespread respect and public trust in religious leaders
  • We have an ethical obligation to transform ourselves internally and to become part of the solution.

Our people

Board

Chair: Ms Pontso Segwai

Pontsho is an accomplished Independent Consultant with over 25 years’ expertise in strategic project delivery. Since 2024, she has served as Regional Coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA) Health and Gender Justice Network (FHGJN), while maintaining active membership in the Directors Association.

Deputy Chair: Ms Patricia Sibanyoni

Patricia is an experienced Theologian and Community Development practitioner with extensive experience in NGOs, particularly within the religious sector. She is a board member at Ujaama which is affiliated to the University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Religion. She works with the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) as the SADC Gender Justice Coordinator.

Treasurer: Mr Sthembiso Mpungose
Resource Mobilisation: Dr Stanley Maphosa

Stanley is a global leader in programme management, governance, and strategic collaboration, including fundraising. With over 22 years of experience in civil society, academia, and a public entity, he specialises in community development, disaster management, and social justice advocacy. He has held executive roles at World Vision, ASSAf, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and Gun Free South Africa.

Survivor Rep: Ms Esperande Bigirimana
Esperande was a victim of conflict-related sexual violence during the Burundian Civil War (1993-2005), forced to flee to South Africa. She rebuilt her life as a primary school teacher and holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Development. Esperande is a co-founder and administrator of the Phephisa Survivors Network. She is a co-founder of SEMA global Network of Victims and survivors to end wartime sexual violence.
Survivor Rep: Ms Bongi Mazibuko

Bongukwanda is  a board member of Phephisa Survivors Network. She has an S4 in Maritime Studies obtained from Durban University of Technology, an Introduction to working in Retail Certificate and an Introduction to Business Management Certificate.

Muslim Rep: Ms Fatima Noordien

Fatima is a lifelong activist from the Muslim community in speaking out against gender-based violence.

Hindu Rep: Pandit Arthi Shanand
Pandit Arthi is a Hindu Priest of the Vedic Priest Academy. After a career in teaching, she retired, studied and was ordained as a priest. Arthi served the Chair of the Arya Stree Samaj (The Women’s Forum of the Arya Samaj), maintaining the shelter for the abused women. In 2020, she was elected as President of Arya Samaj South Africa and served for four years. Arthi is currently on the Executive of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, the umbrella body for all Hindu organisations.

Sub-committee members

Human Resources: Ms Sixolile Ngcobo
Sixolile Ngcobo serves as Director of Localisation & Institutionalisation at The World of Impact and EISH Impact Africa. She is completing an MPhil in Leadership Coaching at Stellenbosch Business School. As a member of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan Strategic Alignment Team for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, she has led localisation efforts using the 100 Day Challenges. She founded The Well Health Company and previously worked with the South African Commission for Gender Equality.
Human Resources: Rev Archbishop Mathethele Lucas Morena

Rev Archbishop Lucas has over 20 years of experience in the Christian Ordained Ministry and Human Resources. He is schooled in Theology, Human Resources, Law, Leadership and Management. He is currently serving as the Archbishop of the Liberating Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa. He has held different portfolios in the private sector and has served as a Conflict Panelist for the Independent Electoral Commission.

Finance: Ms Kogie Moorthi

Kogie has experience in finance, sales, governance and compliance, events planning and coordinating. She has a passion for the promotion, development and upliftment of culture, academic and social fields, especially with the needs of women and youth in mind. She is also involved in many other activities, such as fundraising events and feeding schemes for the underprivileged.

Finance: Mr Simon Read

Simon is a member of the South African Institute of Public Accountants, and is a partner in an accounting practice in Durban, with 30 years practice in the sector.

Theological Foundations: Rev Storia Seitisho

Rev Storia is an ordained Minister of the Methodist Church who retired from active ministry in 2022. Her passion as a theologian is energized by advocating for love, equality  human dignity, justice for peace. As a student of feminist theology, her focus is advocacy for the vulnerable and marginalised, especially women and children.

Advocacy: Zaituni Nabateregga

Zaituni is a human rights professional with over 11 years of experience advancing SRHR, gender equality, and human rights across Africa. A recognised specialist in gender-transformative approaches and Master Trainer in SRHR, she brings expertise in capacity building, policy development, and human rights-based programming. She has also provided capacity strengthening and mentorship to civil society organisations, including within the MenEngage Africa network, to enhance collaboration with faith actors. 

Coordinator

Ms Daniela Gennrich

Daniela Gennrich is a longstanding social, HIV and Gender activist, and a lay Canon in the Anglican Diocese of Natal. She has extensive experience as an NGO director, consultant and workplace, leadership and life coach. Daniela holds three Masters degrees (the last in Gender, Religion and Health) and has led a number of publication projects.

Principles

Sexual violence is unacceptable, inexcusable and intolerable in all its manifestations.

  • Importance of faith leaders and communities: From their platform within local communities, people of faith play a vital role in raising awareness, advocating against impunity and for survivors’ rights, challenging cultural gender norms and addressing related justice issues without fear or favour.
  • Importance of survivor voices: WWSOSA aligns itself with survivors as key participants in guiding meaningful action at all levels.
  • Do no harm: It is important to ensure that ‘no harm’ is brought to individuals and communities in all that we do.
  • Equality and Inclusivity: We embrace diversity, seeking to treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
  • Safe Space: Faith communities are called to be safe spaces for all, through ensuring, facilitating and promoting discussion of sensitive issues relating to sexual violence.
  • Human rights-based approach: All individuals have the basic human right to be protected from violence and for justice to be served, according to the national laws and international UN declarations.
  • Partnership and mutual respect: Mutual partnership entails respecting those who have differing views, as long as they do not contradict WWSOSA’s principles and positions.
  • Accountability and integrity: We seek to live out the values and principles of the kind of society we are striving for in our lives and work places. The means is as important as the end.

Values

  • We believe all people are created in God’s image
  • We respect and uphold the dignity of all people and the wider creation.
  • We are guided by those most directly affected by sexual and gender-based violence and injustice.
  • We believe that God is a God of Justice – and that we are called to work for justice.
  • We are driven by a commitment to gender equality.