South Africa: Empowering a Community Through Access and Awareness

Background: A Community Left Behind

Soul City, an informal settlement in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, Gauteng, is a place where resilience meets hardship. Densely populated and under resourced, it faces high unemployment, crime, drug abuse, and alarming rates of gender-based violence (GBV). Many residents are undocumented without identity documents or birth certificates cutting them off from basic rights and services such as healthcare, social grants, and education. Women, youth, and children bear the brunt of these challenges, living in vulnerability and isolation.

Before our intervention, Soul City was largely neglected. Few organisations offered direct support, and trust in institutions was almost non-existent. GBV cases went unreported, drug abuse was rampant, and families struggled in silence. The lack of documentation was a critical barrier, leaving people invisible and unable to access help. This was the reality we encountered when Sizolwethu Child and Youth Care first stepped into Soul City.

The Change: From Isolation to Access

Today, while Soul City still faces systemic challenges, there are visible signs of hope. Through our work, individuals who were once undocumented and unheard are now accessing essential services. Survivors of GBV are finding support, families are receiving birth certificates and IDs, and young people are being referred for help with drug abuse. These may seem like small wins, but in a community long forgotten, they represent profound change. A bridge to dignity and opportunity.

How Did This Change Come About?

The transformation began with consistent, on-the ground engagement. What started as a few referrals from GBV brigades grew into a deep relationship with the community. We showed up regularly, listened, and responded with care. Our team hosted GBV awareness talks, mobilised key stakeholders including Home Affairs, SASSA, and the Department of Health to bring services directly into Soul City. We assisted with ID and birth certificate applications, grant access, and case referrals for abused children and youth struggling with substance abuse.

Building trust was central. By being present and reliable, we became a safe point of contact for residents. Slowly, people began to open up, report cases, and seek help. Government services that once felt out of reach started arriving in the community, creating a lifeline for those most in need.

Evidence of Impact

Our progress is documented through participant registers from outreach activities, photographs of awareness campaigns and service drives, and video testimonies from local leaders. These records show active engagement and tangible outcomes from families walking away with legal documents after years of invisibility to GBV survivors accessing psychosocial support.

Quotes: 

Quote 1: 

Before this support, many of us didn’t have IDs or access to basic services. Now, with the help from the organisation, I was able to apply for my ID, and I feel more hopeful about the future.
— Palesa, Soul City Resident

Quote 2: 

The work done here has been vital. Our community has faced many challenges with GBV and lack of documentation, but the partnership with this organisation has brought real support and awareness.

— Mangi, GBV Brigade Member

Quote 3: 

Since receiving the funding, we’ve been able to grow in ways that felt impossible before. We’ve strengthened our internal systems, reached communities we couldn’t access before, and supported more women through consistent, structured programmes.
— Mamello Moshoette, Social Auxiliary Worker

Sustainability and Next Steps

This grant has laid a strong foundation for lasting change. We’ve improved internal systems, expanded our reach, and strengthened referral networks. Looking ahead, we aim to:

• Deepen advocacy work to amplify the voices of women and girls.
• Expand healing and empowerment spaces into more communities.
• Build income-generating projects to reduce dependency on grants.
• Grow partnerships with organisations that share our vision.

Our team has grown in skills, confidence, and collaboration. Volunteers and community leaders are more involved, ensuring the work is shared and sustained. The journey ahead is long, but with commitment and care, we believe Soul City can move from survival to empowerment.

By: Ntombisindiso Makhoba