National GBVF Hotspots Prevention, Care and Support Programme

About the Programme

NICDAM is proud to implement the National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Hotspots Prevention, Care and Support Programme, funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The programme is implemented across 33 identified GBVF hotspot communities in all nine provinces of South Africa to strengthen prevention, response and support services for survivors of gender-based violence and femicide.

The programme is delivered by a dedicated team of 65 Social Workers and 104 GBVF Ambassadors, who provide trauma-informed psychosocial support, counselling, advocacy, referrals, awareness campaigns, community dialogues and educational initiatives. Working in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development (DSD), healthcare facilities, schools, traditional and religious leaders and community-based organisations, the programme promotes coordinated, survivor-centred responses while strengthening local support systems and encouraging long-term social change.

Programme Footprint

The programme operates in the following GBVF hotspot communities:

  • Eastern Cape: Butterworth, KwaZakhele and Mthatha.

  • Free State: Bloemspruit.

  • Gauteng: Alexandra, Dobsonville, Emfuleni, Mamelodi East, Moroka,

    Orange Farm, Temba and Tembisa.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: Empangeni, Inanda, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Osizweni,

    Plessislaer and Umlazi.

  • Limpopo: Mankweng, Seshego and Thohoyandou.

  • Mpumalanga: Ermelo and Lothair.

  • Northern Cape: Kuruman.

  • North West: Ikageng.

  • Western Cape: Bellville, Delft, Gugulethu, Inyanga, Khayelitsha,

    Kraaifontein and Mitchells Plain.

NICDAM offices are operational in all nine provinces through a dedicated team of 169 staff members, supported by a management, monitoring and evaluation team at NICDAMs head office in Centurion.

Our Impact

In just the first six weeks of implementation, the programme achieved significant milestones:

  • 820 survivors received trauma-informed psychosocial support.

  • 15,973 community members were reached through awareness campaigns and dialogues.

  • 5,045 households were reached through door-to-door community engagement.

  • 224 referrals connected survivors to critical support services.

  • Strong partnerships were established with government departments, healthcare providers, schools, community organisations and law enforcement agencies to strengthen coordinated GBVF responses.

How We Make a Difference

The programme focuses on:

  • Trauma-informed psychosocial support and counselling.

  • Community awareness and prevention campaigns.

  • Community dialogues and educational initiatives.

  • Strengthening referral pathways.

  • Building partnerships with local stakeholders.

  • Capacity building, debriefing and supervision for Social Workers and GBVF Ambassadors.

  • Promoting safer, more resilient communities through survivor-centred support and prevention initiatives.

Looking Ahead

NICDAM remains committed to expanding access to quality support services, strengthening partnerships and empowering communities to prevent gender-based violence and femicide. Through continued awareness, education, advocacy and coordinated action, the programme aims to create lasting change and contribute to a safer South Africa for all.

Visit the National Lotteries Commission website to find out about other projects supported by the NLC: www.nlcsa.org.za