Masimanyane Head Office
35 St Marks Road, Southernwood, East London
Executive Director Deputy Director
Lesley Ann Foster Christopher Harper
Human Resources Manager Financial Manager
Micky Xanywa Kathy Sutton
Personal Assistant to the Executive Director Secretary
Yulinda Sharrock Wendy Silinyana
Assistant Financial Manager Receptionist
Siboniso Jikija Bhanoo Jeram
Kitchen Supervisor
Sindiswa Ndaba
Zanempilo Health Centre
22 Oxford Street, East London
Counsellors
Tamara Fana Receptionist Thembakazi Mbundlela
Zanempilo primary concern is the counselling the victims of gender based violence. Counsellors at Zanempilo are skilled and strong enough to handle severe cases of violence against women, as some of them have experienced these situations in their personal lives. Zanempilo sees up to nine victims a week, which means domestic violence is still rife in East London. The centre has two counselling rooms and a trauma room where victims may rest up.
According to Tamara Fana high rates of domestic violence still exist. “Men know the rights of women but they still continue beating them,” she said. “Men do this for power. They marry women who are better educated than they are and then they get jealous. Most of the victims I’ve seen this month (September 2009) have been linked to disputes about status.”
Fana said other causes of violence in homes are drugs and alcohol. “It’s getting worse in Duncan Village, with domestic violence and rape. Co-habitation is also a major factor. Some 17 year olds you’ll find have children with men.”
East London Magistrates Court Centre
East London City Centre
Counsellor
Nonkosi Mntu
Thandi deals with cases of gender based violence. Magistrates refer people who are involved with GBV cases to the Masimanyane office within the court, if they deem counselling as necessary.
Thandi may see up to fifteen people a day. However, not all cases are related to domestic violence. Many are women who are looking for support during divorce.
East London Police Station – Victims Support Centre
Fleet Street, East London
Counsellors
Albertina Sam
The centre mainly assists rape survivors and counsels them before they go to hospital. “We assist in taking the statement and help them speak out and open up,” said Albertina Sam. “Police also come for their own problems,” she said.
According to Sam, prostitution cases are common. “Some are forced into sex slavery to earn and other are forced to do so without pay. They are very young, between ages 15 and 18, no one is older than 20. They are killing the nation, they are killing the future,” she laments.
Empilisweni Woodlands AIDS Education and Training Centre
King William’s Town
Facilitators
Manager Buyiswa Mhambi
Public educators: Brian Mabuso, Brenda Tweni
Deals with counselling of Aids victims and holds educational seminars for public educators and learners.
Mdantsane Magistrate's Court
Mdantsane
Counsellors
Felicia Boqwana
The Masimanyane Centre at the Mdanstane Magistrate's Court mostly deals with court cases related to domestic violence, child abuse and maintenance. Additionally, counsellors are on hand to support rape survivors as well.
Duncan Village Police Station - Victim's Support Centre
Duncan Village, East London
Counsellors
Senior Counsellor Ntomboxolo Ntengo Ntombekhaya Nxelo
At the Duncan Village Victim's Support Centre, counsellors tend to rape survivors. They have also dealt with cases of domestic violence and child abuse.
Apart form the resident counsellors, the centre employs two volunteer counsellors when needed.
The centre's facilities include a bathroom with shower and a trauma room where victims may rest.
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