Two well-known community projects focusing on gender-based violence (GBV) in the Vhembe District, the Munna Ndi Nnyi Men's Forum and the Far North Community Care Project, launched a new campaign on Sunday, 15 December, at Tshidzivhe village. The campaign involves visiting traditional leaders to strengthen their fight against GBV.
Led by the managing director of the Munna Ndi Nnyi Men's Forum, Mr Bardwell Mafunwaini, and the programme manager of the Far North Community Care Project, Ms Eva Tshivhase, the team addressed the Tshidzivhe Royal Council and members of the community on issues affecting both men and women.
Mafunwaini called on men to love and respect their wives at all times. He also urged women to submit to their husbands and allow them to lead their families. "Even the Bible instructs wives to submit to their husbands, which means to willingly respect and honour them," he said.
However, Mafunwaini clarified that submission does not mean wives should feel inferior or suppress their own thoughts and desires. "Instead, it means that wives should respect their husband's point of view, share their opinions humbly, and trust their husband's decisions," he explained.
Ms Tshivhase highlighted different forms of abuse in marriage, including emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. "Women should report any type of abuse as soon as it begins to show its ugly head, so it can be addressed at the onset," she said.
Both Mafunwaini and Tshivhase emphasised the importance of working closely with traditional leaders, noting that traditional councils are well-positioned to address GBV cases early. "Before going to the police, such cases should be reported to the headman and his traditional council. They have the powers and the wisdom to resolve GBV cases in an amicable and peaceful way," said Mafunwaini.
Vhamusanda Vho Nkhangweleni Nelson "Mazikule" Netshidzivhe expressed his gratitude for the partnership between the organisations and traditional leaders in tackling GBV. "We have many such cases in this village, and we now know how we can help resolve them," he said.
After the session, a slightly built, middle-aged man approached Mr Mafunwaini and the traditional leader, seeking help. He claimed his wife regularly assaulted him. Vho Netshidzivhe instructed that the wife be brought to the royal kraal for the issue to be addressed. Following an hour-long consultation, the wife agreed to stop the assaults but insisted that her husband cease seeing other women.