Zondi sets out to help others ‘abused in sacred spaces’
Cheryl Zondi‚ who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso‚ has started a foundation to help those who have been sexually abused in sacred spaces.
“Today is a very special day for me and for SA as well‚” she said on Tuesday at the launch of her foundation at the Cultural‚ Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission in Johannesburg.
“It marks the beginning of something remarkable.
“As you all know‚ I spoke out about the sexual abuse and psychological oppression I suffered [allegedly] at the hands of someone who is supposed to be the man of God.
“People don’t want to believe that their spiritual leaders are capable of such atrocities.”
Zondi said she started her foundation because there was a lack of awareness.
“People out there are warned to be careful when they are out at night‚ but they are not necessarily warned when they are going to a church‚ a traditional space‚ ancestral space or any other kind of religious setting,” she said.
The number of rape cases opened against spiritual leaders since she spoke out had been astounding.
“I feel it’s a wake-up call for everyone who has an ear to hear what is going on in this country,” Zondi said.
“Because I know how damaging‚ how life-altering this [sexual assault] is‚ I have decided to start the Cheryl Zondi Foundation and I’m pleased to announce that it’s an officially registered NPO [nonprofit organisation].
“I attached my name and my face to this cause that is so close to my heart that I consider [it] my calling.”
Zondi said that through the foundation she wanted to help women who had gone through similar ordeals and encourage them to speak out without fear of the consequences.
“There are countless victims whose cases might not get the same level of support or media coverage.
“We [victims] have firsthand experience of the lack of psychological support of victims of sexual abuse in sacred spaces.”
When speaking out against an alleged perpetrator who was a spiritual leader‚ victims of sexual assault in sacred spaces faced a backlash from the leader’s followers.
“You are immediately exposed when you speak out‚” Zondi said.
“We want to [through the foundation] push dramatic changes to the system to make it work for, and not against, victims.”
Her objective was to eradicate self-shame and blame on the victims.
“You need to own your story. The tagline for the Cheryl Zondi Foundation is ‘Turning pain into purpose’.”
Zondi made headlines when she faced a gruelling cross-examination from Omotoso’s legal counsel‚ Peter Daubermann‚ at the start of the trial in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Omotoso‚ a senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International Church‚ faces multiple charges‚ including rape‚ human trafficking and racketeering.
Under harsh cross-examination‚ the 22-year-old university student told her story of alleged sexual assault‚ starting when she was 14.
In doing so she received support from activist groups around the country.