Annie Lennox visits the Nonceba family counselling centre for women in Khayelitsha.

The premises of Nonceba has grown as fundraising from Omsfin and CareCross Health, Vodacom and other organizations allowed the construction of the ‘Safe house’. The campaign raised over R3 million for the organisation to expand.

The funds raised in 2008, allowed Nonceba to construct two safe houses, counseling suite, a therapy room, a community hall, a training room along with an office and reception.

Lennox headed to the shelter in order to better understand the conditions of those living in the rural communities of South Africa along with providing philanthropic aid.

Lennox shared her anger in the current crisis of sexual abuse in Khayelitsha,

“An estimated one in three children living in Khayelitsha have suffered serious sexual abuse by the age of 18. The lack of effective community emergency intervention facilities, with an over-burdened police force and an under-resourced state welfare system, results in an inability to tackle the burden of child abuse and domestic violence.”

Lennox shares her experience 

Lennox experienced true South African hospitality as she was welcomed on her visit,

“On my arrival I was greeted at the entrance with a warm hug and lots of laughter from Pauline, who runs the centre and is an awe inspiring women and children’s champion!” shares Lennox.
Lennox described the centre as “an oasis of safety, security and healing for women and their children in the midst of a consistently dangerous environment”