Their ambition was not just to raise awareness but to fundamentally change the way the community tackles child neglect and sexual abuse, aiming for a staggering 60% reduction.

What they achieved in just over three months was a testament to the power of collaboration, strategic planning, and community spirit.

A wave of impact: The results in numbers

While reducing entrenched social issues by 60% in 100 days is a monumental task, the team’s success was vividly measured by their incredible outreach and engagement, key first steps in creating a supportive ecosystem for survivors.

• ~300 people were reached through a powerful mental health campaign that crucially linked substance abuse with the drivers of GBVF.
• ~120 youth were actively engaged in a GBVF awareness drive, empowering the next generation with knowledge and resources.
• ~70 stakeholders from various sectors participated in Local AIDS Council and GBVF induction sessions, building a coordinated network of support.

These aren’t just numbers; they represent hundreds of conversations started, stigmas challenged, and pathways to support being built.

Innovation and new ways of working

So, how did the Lekwa team achieve this? They moved beyond traditional methods and embraced a new, integrated approach.

1. Multi-stakeholder collaboration was key: The team dissolved institutional silos. This wasn’t just a municipal project; it was a movement involving government departments, civil society organisations, schools, and youth groups. By engaging the Local AIDS Council and hosting a Multi Women’s Caucus, they created a powerful, unified platform for action.
2. From awareness to action: The leadership in Lekwa made a public call to move beyond simple awareness campaigns. The team responded by integrating GBV into broader social issues like mental health and substance abuse, acknowledging that these problems do not exist in a vacuum. A landmark achievement was the stakeholder engagement led by the NPA to establish a Thuthuzela Care Centre at Standerton Hospital, a critical step towards providing holistic, coordinated care for survivors.
3. Visible wins build trust: The challenge wasn’t just about social programs. The team understood that community safety and well-being are linked to functional infrastructure. By making tangible progress on refurbishing water treatment works and resolving sewer spillages, they demonstrated a commitment to improving living conditions, which in turn reduces vulnerabilities and builds community trust.

Building a resilient future

The 100-Day Challenge was enabled by strong political leadership, clear, measurable goals, and deep community engagement. This created an environment where relationships flourished—between government departments, between the municipality and its residents, and among community partners.

Looking ahead, the team is committed to building on this momentum by enhancing community engagement through more participatory forums and improving data tracking to ensure their interventions are having a measurable impact.

The final reflection on the experience is that it was “intense and transformative.” It was a test of leadership and teamwork that proved the power of clear goals, community ownership, and resilience. The Lekwa 100-Day Challenge may be over, but its legacy of collaboration and action has just begun.