Unsung Heroes honoured during “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” campaign

Dr. Foster (left) congratulates award recipients for their tireless work in promoting women's rights

A number of US exchange program alumni work with Masimanyane Women's Support Centre.

December 11, 2012

“Every day we are confronted with stories that leave us in despair for individual women, families and communities. But today we are here for a positive and inspiring reason.”

Marking the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign” Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre, along with support from the U.S. Embassy, hosted a gala award ceremony in East London on December 6, 2012 to honour unsung heroes from far flung Eastern Cape communities such as Peddie, Cathcart, Zwelitsha, Mthatha, and Keiskammahoek. As Masimanyane founder Dr. Lesley Ann Foster explains, “In these communities, women are working tirelessly to provide critical services to their people, often at great sacrifice to themselves.”

Among the twenty women honoured were two U.S. exchange program alumni, Linda Brukwe and Judy Silwana.

With a grant from the U.S. Embassy’s Self-Help fund several years ago, and ongoing training and mentorship from Masimanyane, Linda Brukwe grew a small shelter for victims of domestic violence in the town of Cathcart into the Ikhwezi Women’s Support Centre, a well-established non-governmental organization with a wide impact over a large area, including a women’s advocacy office in the Cathcart Police Station, a computer training centre, and outreach offices in outlying villages.

Judy Silwana, a self-described “rural village woman,” was recognized for her effectiveness in liaising with traditional leaders in supporting and advocating for health education, counselling, and reproductive rights among young women. In the Keiskammahoek region, she has established a network of women’s support centres which offer training in counselling victims of domestic violence, as well as HIV/AIDS home-based care.

The stories of these women, who “take on challenges like warriors, fighting for social justice and equality without flinching....show us that we are a country of committed, spirited, honest, passionate, disciplined, courageous people of integrity.” As Dr. Foster concludes, “Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre is proud to bring this good news to you and to have you inspired by them.”

While the rest of us may mark this occasion for only 16 days, the courageous women and men who work with Masimanyane dedicate 365 days a year to combating gender-based violence.