Though trials and tribulations may come to light, you can never keep the spirit of a woman down. And these tenacious survivors from Sisters Incorporated prove just that!
Caring for survivors of abuse, Sisters Incorporated has stood as a beacon of hope — in the Southern Suburbs, Cape Town — for over six decades, rehabilitating and uplifting women and their children facing abuse and trauma. The non-profit organisation has been a lifeline for countless survivors, offering more than just shelter, but a pathway to healing and empowerment.
Our country faces a significant challenge in addressing gender-based violence (GBV), with some of the highest rates of rape, femicide and domestic abuse in the world. Last year, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the results of the first-ever national GBV survey, which revealed that more than 33% of women have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, while 9.8% have faced sexual violence. This translates into around 7.3 million women having experienced physical abuse, while 2.1 million have experienced sexual violations. The prevalence of physical abuse was found to be higher among women of colour, and about one in four women have been victims of emotional abuse.
With these sobering statistics in mind, Sisters Incorporated takes a holistic approach to healing, offering more than just a safe haven and roof over one’s head. Their overall support system includes immediate refuge, counselling, skills training and specialised services such as homeschooling and a childcare facility. The programme is designed to empower survivors, helping them to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually, and equipping them with the skills needed to reintegrate into society with confidence.
We had the honour of sitting down with three remarkable women whose personal journeys of resilience and recovery were nurtured within the walls of Sisters Incorporated. Their stories are not just about survival; they are about reclaiming power, rebuilding lives and inspiring others to find their strength too.
Mellisa: Mother of Strength
A mom of three daughters, Mellisa Faro always believed she was blessed, well brought up, and never saw herself going through such a dark time.
“I was always advised to make good choices in life. But all that changed after I met my last-born’s father. Our three-year relationship started out perfectly, but things took a turn for the worst”
Her partner fell in with the wrong crowd, which led to drug use and infidelity. “Whenever I confronted him about it, I would end up being beaten by him. I stayed and kept forgiving him, knowing what was happening was wrong, but he would not allow me to leave him.”
Mellisa says a family member saw what she was going through and how she was deteriorating. “I hardly looked like my ‘normal’ self any more. I was drained physically and mentally, which led to me losing weight. My cousin then advised me to seek out a shelter as my situation just worsened.”
Sadly, before that could happen, Mellisa ended up in ICU after a physical assault. This finally prompted her to leave her abusive partner. “When I realised I had to escape before he kills me, all I could think of was my kids. I can’t die — they still need me.”
After being welcomed in by Sisters Incorporated, Mellisa felt right at home. She was offered counselling and extramural activities to help her regain her zest for life. She recounts that she and her daughters received amazing care, new clothes and toiletries, and proper meals — this went a long way in improving her overall health. Mellisa was determined to pick herself up and do better, for her daughters’ sakes.
“I found my confidence again. My scars became beauty marks. My will to do better improved. Sisters Inc helped me get an ID and made sure that I retrieve my matric certificate at the Department of Education. I was even given medical and dental care,” she says in awe.
“During my four-month stay with Sisters Inc, I got a job, and they made sure that I got to and from work safely. And my youngest daughter was taken good care of at crèche.”
After fighting to get her groove back, Mellisa rose above her incredibly difficult circumstances to become a powerful role model to her girls. After living in a shack in an informal settlement for years, she is grateful to finally be back on her feet.
“Today I am a homeowner of a two-bedroom house. With the help of the amazing management and staff of Sisters Inc, I can proudly say I made it. I’m not close to where I want to be, but one thing I can guarantee is that I will get there!” she says confidently.
Her words of wisdom:
“To any woman who feels like you can’t step out of your abusive situation, take that first step, as scary as it seems. The unknown can be very scary — that I am fully aware of! But there is help out there; just take that first step. Don’t give up! You are more than your current situation. You are beautiful, you are loved. You can do better. You can become better. It all starts with you… If I didn’t take that first step, I would not have found myself again. You can find yourself again, too!”
Victoria: Vibrant & vivacious
Victoria Jacobs-Swart is mom to daughter Tamika and grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter. Born and raised in Delft, surviving the turmoil that many Coloured women face in areas like this, Victoria has put a life of violence and drug abuse behind her now, thanks to the help she was given and the resources she was equipped with.
“It was in April 2024 that I reached out to the Saartjie Baartman Centre. They gave me two contact numbers, one of which was Sisters Incorporated. I communicated with Mrs Nobuntu, the auxiliary social worker, and explained my situation,” she says. “The following day Mrs Nobuntu contacted me to confirm my details and booked a pick-up driver to fetch me immediately and take me to the Sisters Inc home in Kenilworth.”
In her life, Victoria has faced some of the most horrifying incidents of physical abuse. She admits that drugs became a “comfort” and coping mechanism as she felt stuck in the trauma of her circumstances.
“The abuse had made me feel worthless and just not valued as a human being, as an individual,” she says. “It affected me emotionally and psychologically, which led to anxiety and depression. My self-esteem was affected. Constant feelings of shame and guilt almost led to suicide.”
Thankfully, Victoria persevered in her efforts to rehabilitate herself. With constant care and counselling, she managed to pull herself out of the dark hole she had fallen into. Today, she’s all about female empowerment and fostering a sisterhood.
Victoria empathises with anyone who feels alone and isolated, as she knows this is one of the biggest hurdles one faces as someone who has been abused: “Victims need to know, you are not alone. There are many people currently facing GBV. Even if you feel that people won’t understand you, or that what you’re going through is your fault — know that this is not your fault. It is the abuser’s fault,” she says.
“Healing is important and it definitely matters… You asking for help doesn’t need to include the whole world, but your voice alone is life-changing at the end of the day.”
Her words of wisdom:
“To anyone who is still a victim of abuse, go reach out for help, please! It’s never too late. Believe in yourself and what you’re capable of. Embrace the power of collaboration — and as women, support each other.”
Kamilla: A kindred spirit
An only child who grew up with her cousins in her grandmother’s house, Kamilla Pretorius comes from a very family-orientated background filled with laughter and joy. A mother of three, she’s been married twice, once to the father of her children, and then to her abuser. Though she has always been a confident and goal-driven person, Kamilla unfortunately faced the horrors of domestic violence, which left her feeling as if her life was over.
“The thing is, if you don’t know abuse, then you won’t recognise if it’s abuse that’s happening to you — if you didn’t grow up seeing it or going through it. I questioned myself so many times: ‘Is this how much this man loves me?’ That’s how little I knew of abuse,” she says.
“Up until the day you don’t recognise yourself — and that could be after a few months or even some years – you become this whole different person, and in that process you lose so much of yourself… things like your confidence, self-worth and, mainly, your self-love.”
It was through finding Sisters Incorporated that she was able to find herself again. “In going through abuse – wanting to leave on one hand and wanting to stay on the other — the trauma affects you so much, to the extent that it’s difficult to trust anyone,” she explains.
“With the organisation entering my life, I was given a firm foundation to start my life over. There was acceptance of what I had been through, and with the support and guidance of Sisters Inc, I was properly prepared to start my healing and restoration process.”
Kamilla believes that it is through the grace of God that she encountered the organisation, having known nothing about shelters and safe houses prior to this.
“Finding them felt like some miracle or breakthrough at the time because it was never my intention to move to a safe house. I just needed to get away,” she says.
Taking it day by day, Kamilla admits that there are still a lot of ups and downs one faces as a survivor of abuse: “The overall experience hits harder than the [actual] abuse, as much as you have healed physically. The trauma lingers on for some time and certain things trigger you every day that never used to. In the beginning it seems like a challenge, but it gets easier. You need know that there is no set time frame for allowing yourself to feel every emotion… Trust your process, knowing that things can only get better from here on out.”
Kamilla’s hope is that other victims realise they have nothing to be ashamed of and that being able to reach out for a helping hand shows real courage. “I can talk whole day about the abuse and what I have been through; the hurt, the brokenness, the betrayal, the list goes on. Yet I can also talk about loving myself and living with love, compassion, peace, joy and hope.”
Her words of wisdom:
“I choose to live with the power of positivity. All of these experiences made me into the woman I am today. Every day is a day of becoming a better me and knowing I’m worth loving. I am not ashamed of my story. I am a survivor.”
A Call to Action
The stories of Mellisa, Victoria and Kamilla are not isolated; they represent the experiences of many women who have found refuge and renewal. Their journeys highlight the importance of organisations like Sisters Incorporated in providing not just shelter, but a pathway to self-healing and empowerment. As we reflect on their stories, let us be reminded of the power of community, compassion and commitment. Supporting organisations that aid survivors of abuse is not just an act of charity; it is an investment in a future where every individual has the opportunity to live free from violence and fear. 13
To learn more about Sisters Incorporated or to offer your support, visit www.sisters.org.za
Note: The above stories are based on real experiences but have been adapted for privacy and narrative coherence.
Words by: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography by: Zhann Solomons
