To commemorate World Mental Health Month, the SA Federation for Mental Health hosted an intimate event at our offices on Friday, 24 October 2025.
The gathering shed light on the ongoing epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa and explored its deep and complex connection with mental health.
We were honoured to welcome a panel of formidable speakers who shared important insights into the current state of women’s shelters across the country, emphasising the urgent need to integrate mental health support within these spaces. Attendees also heard from organisations working tirelessly to provide care, advocacy, and healing for survivors of GBV, as well as lived experiences that powerfully illustrated the stories behind the statistics.
A huge THANK YOU to our speakers:
- Dr Zubeda Dangor: Head of Executive at The National Shelter Movement
- Sidumisile Dube: Social Work Supervisor at NICRO
- Celeste Louw: General Manager at TEARS Foundation
- Nomalizo Xabana: Deputy Director at PHOLA
- Norma Mbele: Person with Lived Experience and Founder of Tosunga Baninga
More than just a commemoration, the SAFMH event became a platform for truthtelling and collective healing – where survivors’ voices were not just heard; they were centred in the national conversation on GBV and mental health. – Nkazimulo Ncube, The Randburg Sun
You can read more about our event here. You can also see the two-page spread, including Celeste’s story, here.
Thank you to The Randburg Sun for their wonderful coverage of the event.
