THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently set the stage for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a significant event at the City Hall. Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, highlighted the dire need for substantive action in combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, moving beyond superficial commitments.
In her passionate address, Mayor Lobishe underlined the critical role of men, urging their involvement both individually and through organisations. She firmly stated that the onus of fighting GBV should not solely rest on women. “Women should be allowed to be soft and cared for,” she asserted. “This notion of being called Imbokodo should be a choice and not a forced state due to abusive circumstances. When women fought for freedom, it was not only against apartheid but against all forms of abuse, which ultimately can lead to femicide.” In her support for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Mayor Lobishe praised their relentless efforts despite limited resources, promising that the Metro would seek ways to ease their burdens.
Earlier this year, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was chosen by the office of the Deputy President as one of the municipalities to spearhead GBVF efforts over a 100-day period. During this time, municipal officials received training on strategies and implementation plans, with the Metro setting ambitious goals. These included promoting sexual harassment policies in the workplace, supporting women-owned small enterprises, and encouraging health check-ups for GBV victims and support personnel. Mayor Lobishe further announced the appointment of a coordinator in her office to lead GBVF programmes, highlighting the need for leadership from the highest office.
The Nelson Mandela Bay GBVF Forum, chaired by Thembani Gqiba, faces resource and capacity challenges. “Colleagues are doing a great job, but the lack of resources remains a significant challenge. We call on the government to assist,” Gqiba implored, noting the limited participation of funded NGOs and urging government agencies to provide dedicated officials for active participation. This forum, which includes the Municipality, government departments, NGOs, and the religious sector, aims to foster a supportive environment for victims and coordinate resources and stakeholders to combat GBVF.
In a recent Mayoral Committee meeting at the City Hall’s Council Chambers, Mayor Lobishe reviewed her initial 27 days in office. Alongside the mayoral committee and senior managers, she evaluated the municipality’s progress on priority issues and service delivery imperatives. A key focus was accelerating the registration of spaza shops, crucial for economic development.
The meeting also featured the announcement of revitalising the AIDS Council, aiming to counter the HIV/AIDS epidemic and reduce its stigma. The committee is updating the Council’s Terms of Reference to align better with public health needs. Mayor Lobishe reaffirmed the municipality’s dedication to promoting innovation and collaboration to tackle societal challenges. Their goal is for Nelson Mandela Bay to be a city of opportunity, safety, and empowerment for all its residents. Among these, in alignment with the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Mayor Lobishe reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to the initiative. The municipality’s support for the campaign emphasises public education, victim support, and the critical need to engage men and boys as allies in the fight against GBV.
