Protection strategies for unrelenting violence against women and girls in rural South Africa
Sekwanele: Fighting Back, Standing Tall
In a small RDP village in Mpumalanga, a group of women came together in November 2020 to say - Sekwanele: Enough is enough. They were responding to something all too common in their daily lives– unrelenting violence, sexual assault, and the belief held by too many men that women exist for their use and abuse. They refused silence, they refused submission, and they chose to fight back with strength, skill, and sisterhood. And so, Sekwanele was born.
A Safe Space for Strength and Healing
Backed by Zingela Ulwazi, Sekwanele began with weekly self-defence classes held outdoors; no shelter, just determination. Today, thanks to community support and donor partnerships, we now have a dedicated, shaded training space where girls and women can learn freely and safely, away from judgment or danger.
This simple but powerful structure, a shade netting enclosure, has become a symbol of safety and solidarity. Our classes are trauma-aware, physically engaging, and emotionally restorative. Initially, our sessions were primarily attended by women, many of whom were survivors of violence and multiple assaults. As the program grew and trust deepened, many of these women recruited their daughters to join. We’ve since seen a powerful shift in the group dynamic, with younger girls now making up the core of our classes, receiving early tools for awareness, strength, and resistance.
“I was easily provoked, but now I can manage my anger and I have made a commitment to be peaceful. I used to complain about my health; since joining Sekwanele I feel better, I do not get tired even when I walk to my work. What I am learning is valuable to my work, because I am working with orphaned children, and I will be able to teach them the self defence techniques and to be confident individuals.“
Thoko
Expanding to Buffelshoek
In 2024, Sekwanele extended its reach to Buffelshoek, where we’ve conducted numerous classes and laid a strong foundation of trust with local girls. We have been running weekly sessions with a committed group who have completed their basic training and are progressing into advanced techniques.
Our work in Buffelshoek marks a natural and exciting next step in Sekwanele’s journey, bringing trauma-informed, empowering self-defence education to more rural communities where the need is urgent and unmet
Grading and Growth
From the very beginning, Sekwanele included a grading system to recognise progress and commitment. Over time, this system has given girls a sense of pride, measurable growth, and purpose.
Several participants, after completing multiple levels, have expressed a clear interest in becoming coaches themselves , a powerful sign of ownership and long-term sustainability. They want to give back, to guide others through the same journey that transformed them. This kind of leadership, rooted in lived experience, is exactly what Sekwanele aims to nurture.
Impact: What’s Changed
Since 2020, Sekwanele has trained over 250 girls across Acornhoek and Buffelshoek. We’ve seen a profound ripple effect, girls taking their skills home, teaching siblings, sharing language around boundaries, and breaking silences in households that have never before discussed abuse.
For some, it’s the first time they’ve felt seen, heard, or strong. As the shift from adult women to younger participants continues, Sekwanele is laying a foundation for long-term cultural change, teaching girls from early on, that they are not powerless, that they matter, and that they can fight back.
Why It Matters
Sekwanele is more than a class, it is a catalyst. It is a space where girls learn they are not alone. It is where generational cycles of silence are interrupted. It is where the culture of violence begins to crack. We are not only teaching how to defend the body; we’re awakening the mind, restoring confidence, and cultivating courage.
Support the Movement
Sekwanele is growing. Our vision includes training more peer coaches, expanding our reach into rural villages like Buffelshoek, and ensuring every girl has access to the tools to protect herself, physically, emotionally, and mentally. If you believe in the power of grassroots transformation, stand with us. Donate, share, walk with us. Help us keep saying, “Enough is Enough! “