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

Interim 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.

Tracey-Lee
Interim Deputy Chair: Ms Tracey-Lee Kotzen

Tracey-Lee is an organisational strategist, writer and facilitator with 15 years of experience in leadership, governance and social impact. She has served as a chief executive and board chair, advising organisations through growth, complexity and change. She holds qualifications in psychology, trauma counselling and business law, with advanced training in social impact assessment.  Her work combines ethics, systems thinking and human wellbeing.

Hlengiwe
Treasurer: Ms Hlengiwe Mbatha

Hlengiwe is an experienced financial professional with a passion for accuracy, integrity, and sound financial management. Her background spans accounting and auditing in both non-profit and corporate settings, and she currently serves as Finance and Office Administrator at FOCCISA Health and Gender Justice Network.

Interim Secretary Team: 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. Patricia has extensive experience in conflict resolution.

Interim Secretary Team: Ms 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 to enhance collaboration with faith actors.

Ntsikelelo Colossa
Mr Ntsikelelo Colossa

Ntsikelelo has experience leading cross-sector initiatives that integrate storytelling, community development, and sustainable design. He is a traditional faith leader and the founder of a community initiative promoting positive masculinity. Professionally, he is a consultant and a creative with a proven track record in project management, partnership building, and delivering socially and environmentally responsive programmes.

Desmond
Mr Desmond Lesejane

Desmond is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. He is a respected faith leader, strategist, and advocate with extensive experience advancing social justice, gender equality, and community transformation across South Africa and the African continent.

His expertise includes executive and strategic leadership, advocacy and public engagement, partnership development, stakeholder collaboration, policy influence, and organizational capacity strengthening.

Cabangani
Survivor rep: Cabangani Mtshali

Cabangani is the Chairperson of Phephisa Survivors Network. She is a social auxiliary worker and a community development worker. Cabangani takes up leadership positions at local, district and provincial levels. She has a paralegal background and is facilitator and an HIV counsellor. A survivor herself, Cabangani provides a safe space for women who have experienced any form of abuse.

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.