South Africa: Healing Communities by Empowering Youth to End GBV
This story highlights the leadership journey of Nokukhanya Khumalo, a South African community activist working to address gender-based violence while empowering youth through creativity, mentoring and safe spaces.
Before the intervention led by community activist and youth development practitioner Nokukhanya Khumalo, many women, children and young people in her South African community lived with persistent gender-based violence (GBV), limited access to safe spaces and few opportunities for growth. Survivors were often silenced by fear and stigma, while young people lacked mentorship, resources and platforms to express their talents or build sustainable futures. These gaps motivated Nokukhanya to deepen her advocacy and community work, drawing on both personal experience and grassroots engagement.
Her work operates at the intersection of GBV prevention, healing and youth empowerment. As a co‑partner of SERETO SA BOTLHE, she focuses on strengthening self-worth, building confidence and creating practical pathways for young people to transform their talents into meaningful careers. She has been developing a youth-centred book series on self-awareness and self-worth, supporting young people to understand themselves better and make healthier decisions. This effort is complemented by regular dialogues, mentoring, and creative tools that allow young people to explore identity, leadership, and healing.
A major turning point in her journey came through the Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellowship. The fellowship helped her to enhance her advocacy skills, strengthen feminist leadership and engage communities more confidently at grassroots level. Drawing from this training, she facilitated GBV awareness sessions, provided survivor-centred support, and built safe spaces where individuals, particularly youth, could share experiences without judgement.
To expand her reach, she collaborated with several community-based organisations including The Organisation for Young Women’s Dignity (TOFYWD), Diepsloot Youth Programme (DYP) and the Diepsloot Library. These partnerships enabled her to integrate awareness-raising, healing practices, and youth development activities. Her storytelling approach and creative expression sessions helped young people to use their experiences as fuel for empowerment.
Significant change is already visible within the community. Survivors are increasingly aware of their rights and available support systems, while young people are demonstrating greater confidence, stronger self-awareness, and improved ability to channel their talents into positive life opportunities. Evidence includes feedback from participants, written reflections and monitoring reports that document improved community dialogue, reduced stigma, and strengthened collective responsibility.
The change has largely occurred at local level, but growing advocacy networks are creating avenues for wider influence. Women, youth and survivors remain the primary beneficiaries. Families and the broader community also benefit from increasing openness, improved communication, and shared responsibility in responding to GBV.
Sustainability is grounded in ongoing mentorship, capacity-building and the creation of safe spaces for creativity and dialogue. Through SERETO SA BOTLHE, Nokukhanya continues to implement programmes focused on healing, skill-building, and youth empowerment. Her collaboration with the Diepsloot Youth Programme also supports holiday activities that nurture creativity, leadership and community engagement for children. Documentation of activities, lessons, and case studies ensures transparency and supports future replication of the work.
Through a combination of advocacy, community engagement, youth leadership development and creative empowerment, Nokukhanya Khumalo is helping to build a safer, more supportive and more empowered community one where young people are not only protected but equipped to lead lasting change.
Quotes
Mpho Phasmeni, Youth need more people like you… you can save lives and encourage them to speak up about what they go through.
Senamile Ndlovu, Coach, I remember I was afraid to speak up about being bullied… now it is better because I no longer go through that.