Ilitha Labantu

Ilitha Labantu Non-Profit Organisation; Promoting Women Rights; Eliminating Violence against Women and Children; pro

Ilitha Labantu is a social service and educational organization with a specific focus on addressing violence against women and children and supporting those affected by it. This is accomplished through individual and family counseling, workshops, skills training and empowerment, and acting as a trusted advisor in government and community processes. The client base is particularly focused amongst w

omen living in townships and rural areas of South Africa. Ilitha Labantu is committed to empowerment through education and participatory practices. The organization was established in 1989 and registered as an NPO with the Department of Social Development in 2003. Ilitha Labantu will be celebrating it’s 26 years of service in 2015. The organization was established after it became clear that the problem of violence against women and children represented a critical obstacle to development in township communities. When Ilitha Labantu, the brain child of Mandisa Monakali when it started it was the only organization in the Western Cape that served to empower township women and to address issues related to gender violence. The organization developed of community work conducted by handful of committed women from the township. Ilitha Labantu has now grown and has established satellite offices in five provinces in both townships and rural areas. Ilitha Labantu is the only organization in the area that provides this service in an accessible way because of its location within the residential areas of its target group in a language that is understandable and used by survivors. There are other organizations in South Africa that render services of similar kind. However, their services are not easily accessible to many survivors of violence in the townships and rural communities. Firstly, geographical location is far from where most black women live and secondly, the predominant language used by these organizations is English while most women in the townships are illiterate and can only speak their African languages. These barriers prevent women in the townships and rural communities from making use of the services organizations offer. The legacy of apartheid in South Africa includes deep- rooted racial discrimination and domination of women. Violence and conflict has been interwoven in the fabric of South African society and manifest itself in a variety of mutually reinforcing ways. Violence against women and children represents a dimension of the crisis, which is often overlooked. Even after the dawn of democracy in South Africa and adoption of a bill of rights women are still living in the same conditions as before – facing violence both inside and outside their homes, dealing with the same inadequate services and critical economic sparsity. Ilitha Labantu was established after a series of workshops and seminars in the townships in an attempt to gauge interest in a woman’s center for development. Through this process, it became clear that here were particular issues that had such an immediate affect on women’s lives that they represented obstacles to any further development work. Most notably, it was found that the problem of violence against women and children would first have to be addressed before women could be empowered through any other development training process.

Ilitha Labantu will host the 2nd Quarterly Principals Forum Meeting, bringing together principals from Gugulethu, KTC, a...
06/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu will host the 2nd Quarterly Principals Forum Meeting, bringing together principals from Gugulethu, KTC, and Nyanga for a mid-year review of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative and an opportunity to identify key priorities for the second half of the year.

As Pillar 1 of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, the Principals Forum serves as a platform for principals to assess progress, exchange insights from programme implementation, and engage on emerging issues affecting participating schools. Through their leadership, principals are central to advancing school safety, strengthening learner support, and ensuring that the goals of the collaborative are translated into meaningful action within schools.

Date: 10 June 2026
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Venue: Gugulethu Public Library

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to consider practical responses to school safety challenges and strengthen efforts to support learner wellbeing across participating school communities.

Ilitha Labantu concluded National Child Protection Week with visits to Lwandle Primary School and Thembelihle High Schoo...
05/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu concluded National Child Protection Week with visits to Lwandle Primary School and Thembelihle High School in Khayelitsha, as well as Nobantu Primary School, Andile Primary School, and St Mary's Primary School in Gugulethu and Nyanga.

Throughout the week, learners were engaged on children's rights, personal safety, and the importance of recognising and reporting abuse. These engagements provided an opportunity to strengthen awareness of the support available to children, while reinforcing the message that every child has the right to grow up free from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

While National Child Protection Week may be drawing to a close, protecting the rights and dignity of children requires a 365-day approach and a collective commitment from families, schools, communities, government, and civil society. The week serves as an important reminder that safeguarding children is not limited to a campaign or commemorative period, but is a shared responsibility that demands ongoing action to ensure that every child is protected, respected, and able to thrive.

Ilitha Labantu will be hosting a Positive Parenting & Family Enrichment Workshop for parents and School Governing Body (...
03/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu will be hosting a Positive Parenting & Family Enrichment Workshop for parents and School Governing Body (SGB) members from selected schools in Gugulethu, KTC and Nyanga, as part of Phase One of the rollout of Pillar 4: Parents & SGB Capacity Building under the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative programme.

Date: 10 & 11 July 2026
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Intshukumo Secondary School, NY50, Gugulethu

The workshop falls under Pillar 4: Parents & SGB Capacity Building of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, Ilitha Labantu’s strategic school safety and GBV prevention initiative implemented across schools in Gugulethu, Nyanga, KTC, and Khayelitsha. Ilitha Labantu recognizes the critical role that parents, caregivers, and SGB members play in creating safe, supportive, and nurturing environments that contribute positively to children's wellbeing, development, and educational outcomes.

Participating schools in this phase include:

• Sokhanyo Public Primary School
• Bonga Lower Primary School
• Siyazingisa Primary School
• Xolani Primary School
• Intshinga Primary School
• Lehlohonolo Primary School
• Nompumelelo Special School

The phased rollout forms part of a broader strategy to build the capacity of parents and SGB members across participating schools within the programme.

The workshop will focus on positive parenting practices, strengthening family relationships, and enhancing communication between families and schools. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to engage on issues affecting children and explore practical ways of supporting their wellbeing, safety, and development.

Through the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, Ilitha Labantu continues to strengthen collaboration between schools, families, and communities, contributing to safer, more inclusive, and responsive learning environments.

This workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to promote shared responsibility in safeguarding children and ensuring that they are supported both at home and at school.

Ilitha Labantu engaged learners at Stormont Madubela Primary School in KTC, one of the schools participating in our Safe...
02/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu engaged learners at Stormont Madubela Primary School in KTC, one of the schools participating in our Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative programme, as part of National Child Protection Week. The awareness session focused on children's rights, safety, and protection from violence and abuse.

The engagement encouraged learners to speak up when they feel unsafe, seek support from trusted adults, and understand that every child has the right to grow up in an environment free from violence, neglect, and exploitation. Creating opportunities for these conversations is essential in helping children understand their rights, identify unsafe situations, and access support when they need it.

National Child Protection Week, observed under the theme "Working Together to End Violence Against Children," reminds us that child protection is not a once-off activity, but an ongoing responsibility. Through sustained action and collaboration, we can help ensure that every child grows up in a safe and supportive environment where their rights are protected and upheld.

01/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu would like to commorate this years Child Protection Week with the following Message from our Social Worker Annelisa Mlakalaka.

Every day Children face many forms of violence and abuse in South Africa and around the world, the duty rests on ourselves as communities, families, care givers and service providers to ensure the safety of each and every child from all forms of Violence.

We continue to strive to make this a reality for all children from all walks of life as a child deserves to be loved, protected and heard. We urge everyone to unite against this scourge and continue to echo for the safety of our children well beyond this week.

📢 VACANCIES | ILITHA LABANTUIlitha Labantu invites suitably qualified and experienced professionals to apply for the fol...
01/06/2026

📢 VACANCIES | ILITHA LABANTU

Ilitha Labantu invites suitably qualified and experienced professionals to apply for the following positions:

• Community Development Worker
• Legal Advisor
• Social Worker

Applications should be submitted to: [email protected]

Closing Date: Friday, 12 June 2026

For more information and detailed vacancy requirements, visit: ilithalabantu.org.za/vacancies

Please refer to the advert for further information on the positions and application process.

Ilitha Labantu marked the start of our National Child Protection Week campaign where we visited Bonga Primary School in ...
01/06/2026

Ilitha Labantu marked the start of our National Child Protection Week campaign where we visited Bonga Primary School in Gugulethu, where learners were engaged on their rights, safety, and wellbeing.

As part of our ongoing work in schools, these engagements create opportunities to raise awareness about children's rights, empower learners to speak out against abuse, and ensure that they know where and how to access support when they need it. By equipping children with knowledge & tools and strengthening referral pathways between schools, communities, and support services, we contribute towards creating safer environments where children are protected and heard.

Coinciding with International Children's Day, the visit served as a reminder that every child has the right to grow up free from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

As we observe National Child Protection Week under the theme "Working Together to End Violence Against Children," we are reminded that protecting the rights and wellbeing of children is a collective responsibility. While this week provides an important platform to raise awareness, safeguarding children requires a 365-day commitment from families, schools, communities, government, and civil society. Together, we must continue to strengthen efforts that protect children, uphold their rights, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in safety and dignity.

Ilitha Labantu hosted a Strategic Engagement in Khayelitsha focused on strengthening institutional collaboration and com...
29/05/2026

Ilitha Labantu hosted a Strategic Engagement in Khayelitsha focused on strengthening institutional collaboration and community partnerships in support of safer school environments, as part of Ilitha Labantu’s Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative programme.

The engagement fell under Pillar 5: Institutions & Strategic Partnerships of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, Ilitha Labantu’s strategic school safety and GBV prevention initiative implemented across schools in Gugulethu, Nyanga, KTC, and Khayelitsha. The engagement brought together a range of stakeholders including social workers, child protection services, NGOs, schools, and community leadership structures to engage on strengthening coordination in responding to learner vulnerability and challenges affecting school communities. At the centre of the dialogue was the recognition that schools cannot respond to issues of abuse, neglect, trauma, and violence in isolation.

The session focused on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination between institutions and service providers, and identifying gaps within current systems of support. These discussions were critical in ensuring that vulnerable learners are met with timely, coordinated, and effective interventions and do not fall through systemic gaps.

A key outcome of the engagement was the proposal for a stakeholder alignment session that will bring together strategic partners and service providers operating in Khayelitsha to map available services, strengthen coordination, and improve referral pathways. The proposed session seeks to establish a clearer understanding of existing support mechanisms and identify opportunities for more effective collaboration in ensuring that children and families receive timely and appropriate support.

Through the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, collaboration between schools, communities, and external stakeholders continues to be strengthened, contributing to safer, more inclusive, and responsive learning environments.

Ilitha Labantu will be hosting a Strategic Engagement in Khayelitsha focused on strengthening institutional collaboratio...
27/05/2026

Ilitha Labantu will be hosting a Strategic Engagement in Khayelitsha focused on strengthening institutional collaboration and community partnerships in support of safer school environments, as part of Ilitha Labantu’s Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative programme.

The engagement falls under Pillar 5: Institutions & Strategic Partnerships of the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, Ilitha Labantu’s strategic school safety and GBV prevention initiative implemented across schools in Gugulethu, Nyanga, KTC, and Khayelitsha. The engagement will bring together a range of stakeholders including social workers, child protection services, NGOs, schools, and community leadership structures to engage on strengthening coordination in responding to learner vulnerability and challenges affecting school communities. At the centre of this dialogue is the recognition that schools cannot respond to issues of abuse, neglect, trauma, and violence in isolation.

The session will focus on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination between institutions and service providers, and identifying gaps within current systems of support. These discussions are critical in ensuring that vulnerable learners are met with timely, coordinated, and effective interventions and do not fall through systemic gaps.

Through the Safe Schools Leadership Collaborative, collaboration between schools, communities, and external stakeholders continues to be strengthened, contributing to safer, more inclusive, and responsive learning environments.

This engagement forms part of an ongoing process to strengthen coordination, accountability, and collective action in support of safer school communities.

Ilitha Labantu attended the Social Services Cluster Media and Stakeholders Briefing held at Parliament under the theme “...
25/05/2026

Ilitha Labantu attended the Social Services Cluster Media and Stakeholders Briefing held at Parliament under the theme “Promoting values of accountability, transparency and fairness.” The engagement brought together Members of Parliament, oversight committees, and civil society stakeholders to engage on critical social development, public health, governance, and innovation matters affecting communities across South Africa.

The discussions highlighted the growing disconnect between policy commitments and the lived realities experienced daily by vulnerable communities. Concerns surrounding the underfunding of the Central Drug Authority, deteriorating public health infrastructure, institutional capacity challenges, and ongoing service delivery failures continue to reflect broader systemic issues confronting the country’s social services sector.

At a time when communities are increasingly affected by substance abuse, poverty, gender-based violence, unemployment, and barriers to accessing healthcare and social support services, accountability and implementation can no longer remain abstract policy discussions detached from realities on the ground.

A major concern remains government’s ability to translate commitments, declarations, and strategic plans into tangible implementation and measurable impact within communities. Public confidence in state institutions cannot be sustained through commitments alone, but through responsive governance and effective service delivery that materially improves people’s lives.

The engagement further highlighted the urgent need to identify and address service delivery gaps within township communities and rural areas, where access to essential services and institutional support often remains inadequate and unequal.

As an organisation with an extensive footprint across the Western Cape Province and a broad network of community stakeholders and grassroots structures, Ilitha Labantu continues to contribute towards identifying service delivery gaps through community engagement, psychosocial support programmes, youth development interventions, and community-based support services.

Address

Ny 22/26A, Guguletu
Cape Town
7750

Telephone

+27216332383

Website

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