Asonele Melapi

What does your company do?

The Nokwanda Patocka GBVF Foundation exists to provide awareness and fight Gender Based Violence and Femicide by becoming a referral centre for victims, moulding young people through various programmes, and providing support to families of victims, so that people can live in a safe and secure environment. Our vision is to create a safe and secure environment for all abused women, children, the elderly, people living with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ Community and Men.

What is your biggest success?

My greatest achievement is being able to Turn Pain into Purpose after GBV by helping others like my sisters Nokwanda and Ayanda. By following God's purpose on my life I have become a role player in society, shaping young lives and empowering victims that they are both their circumstances and that with God anything is possible. As a self made award winning Activist I learnt not to lean on my own understanding and that was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and for my organisation, and today I can proudly say I am part of a positive change for community development and have accomplished the below *Social Justice Advocate & GBV Activist | Motivational Speaker | Radio Personality | Mentor | Life Coach* I am a dedicated and passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality, with a strong commitment to creating positive change in my community. As the founder and Chairperson of the Nokwanda Patocka Gender-Based Violence Foundation, I am driven to address the scourge of GBV and promote a culture of respect, empathy, and understanding. *Key Positions and Achievements:* - *Founder & Chairperson*, Nokwanda Patocka Gender-Based Violence Foundation - *Regional Secretary*, Women's Sector Council in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) - *EC Head Convenor*, Baphi Abafazi Movement - *Chairperson*, Kingsridge High School SGB Committees - *National GBV Ambassador*, South African Police Service (SAPS) - *Member*, SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention Committee in NMB - *Award Winner*: - 22nd Nelson Mandela University Herald Citizen of the Year (2023) - Gender-Based Violence - Inside Politics 100 South African Shining Stars (2023) - United Nations Best Diplomats Delegate (2024) - South African Cities Network Youth-Led GBV Competition Winner (2024) - Kolisi Foundation Connect Eastern Cape Member - Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans (2024) - Civil Society - *Alumna*, Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation - *Finalist*, Black WomenX Leadership program - *National Panel Chairperson*, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 - Education & 5 - Gender Equality for Department of Statistics for the Presidency of South Africa. - Anglican Church Grahamstown Diocese Lay Minister *Areas of Expertise:* - Gender-Based Violence Advocacy - Social Justice - Community Development - Mentorship & Life Coaching - Motivational Speaking - Radio Personality - Women & Youth Empowerment - Spiritual Ministry

What has been your biggest hurdle?

My biggest challenges stem from being self funded. Because of the lack of financial support from government it has been difficult to travel to deep rural areas where Gender Based Violence has high prevalence. I was mugged using public transport whilst going to advocate for a case of Gender Based Violence where a young lady aged 23 was beaten to an extent of being wheelchair bound. That made me reluctant in want to travel outside my region if I cannot afford petrol to drive for a case. My other deep challenge is our justice system that fails to protect victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, femicide and murder. The acts that govern Gender Based Violence are overlooked in our courts and victims seldomly get justice especially for assault, in which this directly affects the increase in stats of GBV because perpatrators see themselves above the law. More especially protection orders are not viewed as active warrants of arrests to SAPS officials which renders the victim powerless and unprotected.