About us

COPESSA (Community-based Prevention and Empowerment Strategies in South Africa) is a multi-award-winning, community-rooted nonprofit organisation that has, for over two decades, stood at the forefront of the prevention of gender-based violence (G BV) and violence against children. Based in Protea Glen, Soweto, COPESSA was established in March 2004 in response to a national outcry for change following one of the most brutal and widely reported acts of violence against a child in South Africa’s democratic history. Our Origin Story is born from pain and built on Purpose. In 2000, South Africa was shaken by the rape of a six-year-old girl-known in the public domain as ‘Lerato’ (not her real name)-in Alexandra township. The crime captured the nation’s attention and laid bare the deep structural and social issues underpinning violence in our communities. In response, a group of iconic South African women-primarily from the music and creative arts industries-formed a campaign called iSililo – A Women’s Cry, led by the late Dr Sibongile Khumalo. The iSililo campaign convened a series of community dialogues (iindabas) to collectively process the grief and outrage, and to discuss how to respond meaningfully to the scourge of child sexual abuse. Through these heartfelt and often painful conversations, the need for long-term, community-based interventions became increasingly evident. The time had come to move from lament to action. Out of this call to action, COPESSA was co-founded by Dr Nobulembu Mwanda (affectionately known as Dr Nobs), with a vision to create a safe haven for children that would not only offer healing for survivors of abuse and neglect but also focus on preventing such violence from happening in the first place. Over the years, the organisation’s mission expanded in recognition of the intersectional nature of violence, extending its reach to include women and LGBTQI+ individuals.