Etafeni Day Care Centre

Over the years, Etafeni grew from a day care centre into a full multi-purpose community hub with 12 programmes. In 2024–25, it reached 72,828 beneficiaries, served nearly 60,000 kitchen meals, made over 47,000 household visits, and provided direct psychosocial support to 5,571 people.

Psychosocial Support Programme (Social Work / GBV)

The programme most directly relevant to GBV survivors is Etafeni's Psychosocial Support Programme, staffed by qualified social workers. It provides support, counselling, and referrals for individuals and families experiencing abuse, domestic violence, neglect, and related trauma. The programme's own page on the Etafeni website opens with the question "Is this abuse?" and explicitly notes that abuse occurs across all cultures, ages, races, nationalities, and socioeconomic levels — in heterosexual and LGBTQ+ relationships alike. Social workers conduct assessments, provide therapeutic support, and link clients to specialist services where needed (including shelters, legal services, and health care).

In 2024–25: 5,571 people received psychosocial support through Etafeni.

Home and Community Based Care (HCBC)

Etafeni's HCBC programme focuses on wellness, health promotion, prevention of ill health, and self-management support for community members — particularly women living with HIV/AIDS who are homebound or isolated. Community health workers make household visits, conduct assessments, and connect people to health and social services. In 2024–25: 47,253 household visits were made.

For GBV survivors who cannot easily leave home — because of illness, disability, childcare responsibilities, or fear — the HCBC home visit model creates a rare access point to support.

Girls and Women's Empowerment

Powergirls Programme: Implemented in partnership with Kinderfonds MAMAS, the Powergirls programme serves 48 girls from disadvantaged communities with a structured curriculum focused on empowerment, life skills, and positive identity development.

Sewing Training Programme: Entry-level sewing and beading training for women and community members — equipping trainees with tangible, income-generating skills. Economic independence is one of the most significant protective factors against GBV. The programme's December 2025 success story is Anthea Leaman, who used her sewing skills to move toward self-employment.

Fit for Life Fit for Work: A job-readiness and skills development programme for unemployed school-leavers — providing practical training in workplace readiness, life skills, and employment-related skills.

Children's Programmes

Early Childhood Development Programme: Quality care and a learning environment for children aged 2–6 in a dry, warm, structured space. For children in households affected by GBV, the ECD centre provides safety, nutrition, and developmental continuity.

After-School Support Programme: Structured academic support aligned with the WCED curriculum for primary school learners. In 2024–25: 1,228 children reached through education and related activities.

Boys Programme: A heartfelt empowerment initiative guiding young boys toward healthy manhood — specifically for boys who are searching for identity and role models in an environment where positive male role models may be absent. This is Etafeni's prevention investment in the next generation.

Food Security and Nutrition

Etafeni operates a food garden programme, runs a kitchen, and provides meals on-site. In 2024–25: 58,728 kitchen meals were served. Food security directly reduces the economic vulnerability that traps many women in abusive relationships.

Etafeni Day Care Centre Trust: etafeni.org.za. Phone: 021 386 1516. Email: reception@etafeni.org.za. 10 Sihume Road, Nyanga, Cape Town, 7750. Office: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00. Psychosocial support/social work, HCBC (47,253 household visits 2024–25), ECD, after-school, Powergirls, Boys Programme, sewing training, Fit for Life, food garden. GBV crisis: Rape Crisis CPT 021 447 9762 (24hr) / 0800 428 428 (toll-free, 24/7).