 Bombani to shelter abused women
A new, purpose-built Bombani Safe House for Abused Women is
opening in Alexandra this month, where up to 20 women and their
children will be able to get help.
IN a few days time abused women and their children will have a safe
place to seek refuge. A new shelter in Alexandra, called Bombani Safe
House for Abused Women, will open its doors at the end of February.
With a welcoming and secure appearance, it is cream in colour and has
high fences. The safe house, built at a cost of R2,5-million, will be
a temporary home to 20 mothers and their children when it opens on 25
February.
"The [house] will provide shelter to victims of abuse and domestic
violence for about two weeks," explains Joy Mathobie, the project
manager for special needs at the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP).
"During their stay at the shelter they will receive counselling from
professionals and those in need of any medical attention will be
attended to by resident nurses."
The ARP, an urban renewal project aimed at upgrading living conditions
in the township, identified the site and the provincial government
chipped in with funds.
Bombani Safe House for Abused Women was originally housed in an old
fire station in Alexandra. It was established in August 2000, and the
founder of the original shelter, Sizakele Nkosi, then the mayoral
committee member for public safety, named it "bombani", meaning "be
proud" in Tsonga.
Support was given to abused women from the local community and
surrounding areas. Containers were used as rooms to accommodate
victims of abuse. However, because it was unsafe and lacked the
necessary security measures to protect the people it sheltered, it was
closed down.
In 2006 the ARP was approached by a non-governmental organisation,
Bombani, to establish a shelter at the original site. But it was
discovered to be unsuitable for the shelter, according to Mathobie.
A new site was identified on the Far East Bank and within three months
of construction starting, the double-storey shelter is complete. Only
furniture needs to be moved in.
"The shelter contains 14 family rooms as well as shared community
facilities for cooking and dining, ablutions and laundry. A children’s
playground complete with swings and slides will be put up at the
back."
To be operated by volunteers, the shelter will provide temporary
therapeutic, residential care programmes for abused women and children
from in and around Alexandra. It will also provide counselling for men
who are abused by their partners.
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