EMPOWERING SURVIVORS OF ABUSE

TEN women who are survivors of genderbased violence are to benefit from an empowerment workshop, aimed at giving them a fresh start through the arts.

The Sibulele Sibaca Foundation, funded by Anglo-American South Africa, will be launching a two-week arts and crafts workshop, starting on February 18.

The workshop aims to train the women in crafting with African beads, and offer them support to sustain their businesses after the workshop.

Founder Sibulele Sibaca said she become involved with the initiative because her foundation wanted to support women who walked away from abusive relationships.

“Those women who had the courage to walk away should be given some sort of skill so they can look after themselves and their children,” she said.

Sibaca is a motivational speaker, author and activist known for her personal story as an Aids orphan whose parents died when she was 16.

The project was initiated as part of Anglo-American’s employee volunteering programme called Ambassadors for Good. Teams of employees were encouraged to bid for funds from the company to join forces with organisations like The Sibulele Sibaca Foundation to implement sustainable projects and initiatives.

Accountant Thembi Zulu was drawn to Sibaca’s foundation because of their shared passion for empowering women. “We found synergy with the Sibulele Sibaca Foundation as the foundation’s work is focused on empowering women and helping gender-based violence survivors,” said Zulu.

The 10 women will also be taught how to source their own materials and will receive advice on financial management.

“We have already put in place structures to ensure that they have access to markets once they have products ready for sale. We will continue to offer business skills support and other skills that they may need in order to ensure sustainability,” said Zulu.

The women will have an opportunity to sell their work during a market day at Anglo-American and a website will be set up for the women to sell their products online. The website will include the women’s individual stories.