Thusanang Trauma Centre
Thusanang Trauma Centre is a registered NPO and GBV service organisation based in Lichtenburg, North West, providing counselling, trauma support, overnight accommodation, psychosocial services, and community awareness to survivors of gender-based violence and femicide in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality area.
Contact & Location
- Rasina Pretorius / Christinah Pretorius
- 121 Burger St, Lichtenburg, 2740 c/r 67 Lang straat Lichtneburg
Opening Hours
Opening hours not available. Contact the organisation directly.
About
About Thusanang Trauma Centre
Thusanang Trauma Centre is a registered NPO providing dedicated gender-based violence and trauma support services in Lichtenburg, the administrative centre of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West province. The centre was founded by Christinah Pretorius.
The name "Thusanang" (Setswana: "help one another" / "support each other") reflects the organisation's community-rooted approach to healing and collective action against GBV.
The centre was upgraded by the North West Department of Social Development to provide overnight accommodation for GBV victims and to handle referrals from other stakeholders. In December 2023, the North West DSD MEC awarded Thusanang a R1 million grant to further capacitate the centre and expand its psychosocial support and overnight accommodation for victims.
Services Offered
- Trauma counselling: individual and group therapeutic support for survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and other GBV
- Overnight/emergency accommodation for GBV victims who cannot safely return home — capacity enhanced through DSD investment
- Psychosocial support and case management: holistic support addressing emotional, social, and practical needs of survivors
- Court preparation and accompaniment: supporting survivors through protection order proceedings and criminal prosecution
- Community awareness campaigns: GBV prevention and education conducted in partnership with SAPS Lichtenburg, Department of Education, Ditsobotla Municipality, and other stakeholders — including 16 Days of Activism events and school outreach
- Referral network: connecting survivors to SAPS FCS units, hospitals, social development, Legal Aid SA, and specialist services
- Survivor empowerment: supporting survivors to reach independence and resist returning to abusive situations
Founder's Note
Founder Christinah Pretorius acknowledges that some survivors return to their partners or withdraw court cases, but celebrates those who successfully rebuild their lives: "some of them we are winning it because they come back and tell us that they are empowered they can work for themselves and their families."
Location
The centre operates from two addresses: - 121 Burger Street, Lichtenburg, 2740 - 67 Lang Street, Lichtenburg (corner / secondary address)
Who They Serve
Women and children in Lichtenburg and the broader Ditsobotla Local Municipality, North West province, who are survivors of GBV, domestic violence, rape, or femicide. Services are available to all regardless of ability to pay.