Thembisile looks forward to award
She finds herself growing each and every day in her role as a domestic violence mediation officer.
The Evander Magistrate’s Court’s very own Ms Thembisile Msibi has been nominated for the South African Heroines Award for 2021.
Her nomination is in the category of Heroine in Young Girl and Women Empowerment.
The awards will be taking place in Bloemfontein on August 28.
Born in Johannesburg and raised in Newcastle by her grandmother, Ms Msibi always wanted to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps by helping others.
She obtained her degree in child and youth development from the Durban University of Technology and has her honours degree for development studies with UNISA.
Ms Msibi is a court intermediary in the section of the sexual offences, doing mediation support in the domestic violence and harassment offices and has been working for the court since 2015.
She is a mother of three and a fiancée to Mr Thamsanqa Simanga.
She has also been stationed at courts in Secunda, Bethal, Ermelo and Kwaggafontein.
“Where a court needs an intermediary, I will provide my services. But being me and my interest in wanting to help people, I requested to be placed at the domestic violence office court,” said Ms Msibi.
She finds herself growing each day in her role as a domestic violence mediation officer.
She also assists in community affairs and works closely with organisations and traditional leaders.
“Most of the people in our community are not aware of the court intermediary services. People would feel that when their children have been raped they will rather keep quiet because they don’t want the child to have to testify in court.”
She said there is a need to educate the community about court intermediary services.
“This is where I found myself becoming a part of the Thuthuzela stakeholders. We have done about 70 outreach programmes since 2015,” said Ms Msibi.
She said outreach programs have helped a lot by educating people in reporting crimes, bringing new cases to court and finding justice for victims.
“What I would like to underline is not the issue of the increase in the number of cases but the increase of people who come to us now with information.”
She explained the biggest challenge is when a protection order needs to be issued, the victim is unable to provide an address or date of birth of the respondent.
“When we do our outreach programmes, we try to educate the people on what important documents and information are needed.
“We show them how to fill in the forms. We don’t want to turn people away because of lack of information,” said Ms Msibi.
She said there has been a high increase in domestic violence cases.
“Women have a fear to open protection orders because they want to keep their man on their side and in some cases, it will be because of financial security.
“Most of the time there is no love in the relationships. There is hurt and abuse but because there are financial issues they choose to stay. That is where we come in and say our work is not only to issue protection orders but to make sure you are safe.”
Ms Msibi mentioned that during the Covid-19 period there has also been a huge increase in sexual offences, especially when families need to work and there is no supervision at home for the children.
As she has been nominated for the Heroine in Young Girl and Women Empowerment category, Ms Msibi was tasked with a charity drive and will be hosting it as a South African Heroine of Mpumalanga.
She has chosen three different groups which is the eMbalenhle old age home, Nomkhubulwane Culture Group and the Nyaupe Brothers.
The event will take place on August 14, from 11:00 to 13:00 at eMbalenhle old age home (next to House of Praise).
Ms Msibi is seeking the publics assistance for the following:
- For the Nomkhubulwane Culture group she needs sanitary pads, toiletries, used and new clothes for girls between the ages of five to 18 years and shoes size 4 to 7; school uniforms and shoes, career guidance and support for these girls with a Gr12.
- For the eMbalenhle old age group she needs blankets, used and new clothes (for older people), slippers, gowns and food.
- Space for rehabilitation for two brothers who are nyaope addicts, as well as clothes, food and skills development opportunities for them
If you want to donate to the charity drive, contact Ms Msibi on 083 895 0270.