Mpho ya Basadi is the new kid on the block

Mpho ya Basadi is a new kid on the block as one of the instrumental organisations to stand against women abuse, rape and domestic violence happening in Zwelethemba. Mpho ya Basadi is a Sesotho word meaning a gift to women, which is what the organisation sees itself in response to the current challenges facing the community.

Its founder and Chairperson, Sylvia Goodman Mpinana is a passionate, humble and driven activist who loves being an agent of change for those who fall prey to men. Not only does the organisation stands for women’s rights, but it also focuses on men issues too. Acknowledging the fact there aren’t many organisations similar to hers, Sylvia states it clearly that Mpho was established as a need based on the feasibility study (research) that indicated no many vocal and active structures such as Mpho exists in Zwelethemba to address children and women issues. “It’s totally sad and so unfortunate to discover no such organisation existed within the community to deal with such pertinent issues facing Zwelethemba” she adds.

According to Sylvia, what makes her organisation unique and responsive is the type of services they offer to both women and men in general. These services strictly focuses to those affected by abuse and those who are perpetrators. In an inclusive interview with Khwezi Times, Sylvia stated: “Our workshops are not just talk-shops and tick all the boxes, then go event is over. We do interventions such as family reunions, conflict management, and educational programmes”. Their educational programmes consists of a social service program for women and children; youth outreach programme; and men imbizo programme. “Like any other emerging organisation our challenges are lack of funding, office space, and limited number of stakeholders” she explains.

As a new kid on the block, the organisation has reached two of their ultimate milestones since inception, they have managed to host a successful youth outreach and a men’s workshop. The organisation plans is to acquire their own facility and establish their own space for focus groups and lastly open a men’s clinic, which also targets young men.