Ingomuso Lethu Centre

About Us

Ingomuso Lethu Centre (ILC) is a registered non-profit organisation in Verena D, Mpumalanga under Thembisile Hani municipality, dedicated to addressing socio-economic rights and human rights education within the community. Founded in 2016, ILC was established as a self-help facility in response to the lack of meaningful development and the challenges faced by disadvantaged members of the Verena community. The organisation focuses on combating gender-based violence (GBV), empowering women, and providing free paralegal advice services. ILC actively works with local stakeholders, including civil society, police, social services, churches and the local Tribal Authority to create a safer, more supportive environment for women and children.

ILC also recently started an agroecology food garden under FHR’s Growing Food for Life project in the community with the GBV survivors, in order to reduce unemployment and to create independency for survivors who are often forced to stay in abusive relationships due to financial dependence on abusive partners.

Key Focus Area

• Gender-Based Violence: Raising awareness and providing support for victims of GBV, with an emphasis on community education and intervention.
• Women’s Empowerment: Offering programmes and workshops to empower women to become financially independent and reduce their dependency on spouses.
• Paralegal Support: Providing free legal advice and referrals to strategic partners for victims of GBV and other socio-economic issues.
• Community Mobilisation: Engaging local stakeholders and civil society to address GBV, substance abuse, and other social issues affecting the community.

Impact and Achievements 

• Successfully raised awareness and engaged over 75 women in a local GBV campaign in partnership with the local church.
• Conducted a community survey revealing a significant underreporting of GBV cases due to women’s reliance on their spouses.
• Established strong partnerships with local civil society organisations, police, and social services to address GBV and promote women’s rights.
• Delivered over 200 home visits to survivors of GBV, offering support and resources to victims.
• Initiated school awareness programmes targeting both boys and girls, educating them on the importance of protecting women and girls from violence.