Melkbosstrand women take a stand

In a powerful display of sisterhood and solidarity, women from across the Melkbosstrand community gathered at the Melkbosstrand Country Club on Saturday, August 2, for a Women’s Day event dedicated to raising awareness around Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Organised by Melkbosstrand police, in partnership with the Community Police Forum (CPF), the event brought together motivational speakers, self-defence trainers, and community members over a warm brunch.

 The gathering aimed to shine a light on the five devastating forms of GBV - psychological, verbal, economic, physical and sexual abuse - and to remind women that they are not alone.

Wagieda Ismail, crowned Mrs Western Province 2024 and a GBV activist, was the keynote speaker at the event, who shared her harrowing yet hopeful story of survival.

19 years ago, Ms Ismail lived through 18 years of physical and emotional abuse.

She spoke about the trauma - black eyes, bruises, stabbings, and the silent suffering she endured while putting on a brave face for work and her children.

“No one knew.I never spoke about it,” she said.

But everything changed when she found the courage to cry out - and someone listened, she said.

That moment of vulnerability led her to a shelter, where she and her children found refuge. It was there, she said, that she began to rise -  not only for herself, but for the sake of her children.

“As it stands today the transformation of being the victim, I am the victor. And I have overcome things that I never thought I would,” she said.

Ms Ismail uses her platform to inspire women to stand tall, to seek help, and to never let shame keep them silent.

“Women, we are precious. We are worthy. We are unique. We are special. And we do not deserve to be hurt,” she said.

Ms Ismail credits her healing to God’s grace and now lives her life in service of others.

Among her many titles - Mrs Atlantis 2023, Ambassador of “A Million Reasons To Do Good”, and Mrs Ambassador of the City of Cape Town 2024 - it is her role as a servant leader that she values most.

She offers one-on-one support to women in crisis - free of charge.

 “We cry together, we encourage one another, but most of all, we break those bad habits of being a victim,” she said.

Many of the women who reach out to her do so in the middle of the night, just needing someone who understands, she said, adding that it isn’t just work - it’s her calling.

In addition to her GBV advocacy, she devotes time to feeding the hungry on Friday afternoons and supporting the elderly in her community.

Saturday’s event served as both a reminder and a rallying cry: gender-based violence affects all communities - and it’s time we stand together to end it.

Melkbosstrand police Sergeant Shemone Botha, who helped coordinate the event, was thanked for her dedication to uplifting women, and the Melkbosstrand Country Club was commended for offering the venue in support of the cause.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call your local police station or contact the 24-hour GBV helpline on 0800 428 428.

“Help is available. Healing is possible. And no woman has to walk this journey alone,” said Ms Ismail.