After the Municipality’s Gender Focal Person Funeka Mayembana attended a presentation by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) she recognised that the structure and focus of the Challenge could strengthen existing efforts in the area. 

The Stellenbosch team set two measurable aims: 1) raise monthly survivor reporting from 5 to 20 cases 2) and reduce case withdrawals by half. 

A new Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) anchors much of the work. Thuthuzela centres were developed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to bring medical, psychosocial and legal support under one roof. Research and national data show that Thuthuzela Care Centres significantly shorten response time and improve legal outcomes. In Stellenbosch, the centre has become a single doorway through which survivors can begin recovery without retelling their story in multiple offices. 

Dedicated GBV trauma rooms

Something more and more municipalities are doing is creating trauma rooms in police stations and Stellenbosch has followed suit. With help from local partners, an unused office was turned into a dedicated space where survivors can speak privately with a social worker and give their statement away from the main charge desk. These rooms help reduce the emotional stress of reporting, especially in the critical first few hours after an incident. They also give officers and support staff the conditions to respond with greater focus and empathy. It is a simple intervention that reflects a growing recognition that the environment matters just as much as the process.

How something as simple as transport can help survivors 

Another practical barrier that continues to affect whether survivors report their experiences is transport. In Stellenbosch, this has been raised consistently by community workers and service providers who support people living in outlying areas. Many residents are located far from formal services, and public transport options are limited, especially in the evenings. Without reliable and safe ways to reach police stations or care centres, survivors are often left with few choices. Some delay seeking help until it feels safer to travel, while others decide not to report at all. This quiet obstacle has serious consequences, not only for justice processes but for a survivor’s ability to access immediate support. To change that pattern, the team arranged a small fleet of unmarked vehicles that can be dispatched after hours. Drivers receive basic trauma-informed guidance, and a clear protocol protects survivor privacy. The service may appear ordinary, but its impact is direct as people reach the care centre sooner and police obtain time-sensitive evidence more reliably.

As part of a broader commitment to community safety and wellbeing, the team is also working to prevent gangsterism and drug-related harm, particularly among young boys who are vulnerable to abuse or neglect and may be drawn into gangs as a way to escape unsafe home environments. Through collaboration with various role players, the municipality is supporting learning exchanges that allow partners to share approaches and adapt strategies that respond to the specific challenges facing their communities. These efforts recognise that violence does not exist in isolation, and that prevention must extend beyond immediate survivor support. 

Throughout the 100 days, it becomes important for teams to keep the momentum, so scheduled workshops become a space to reflect and exchange learnings. The Refresher Workshop on 02 June allowed members from law enforcement, health care, education, local government and grassroots organisations to share early lessons. 

Recognition also matters. On day 100, ward councillors, youth mentors, neighbourhood watch volunteers, SAPS, social workers, data capturers and team coaches were all acknowledged for their daily contribution throughout the Challenge. This work shows what can happen when a municipality treats coordination as a continuous practice rather than an occasional project. Clear goals provide direction, but sustainable progress depends on everyday decisions. 

In Stellenbosch, these decisions are beginning to build a network that survivors can trust, and that trust is the strongest measure of all.