Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli light one of the candles in memory of people who have lost their lives to gender-based violence at the DSK KZN GBV Gala.
Leaders and advocates have called for stronger prevention and survivor support at the fifth annual DSK KZN GBV Gala, where new facilities and empowerment initiatives were announced.
On Saturday night, the Daniella Simone Keisha Group (DSK Group), a non-profit organisation, hosted the DSK KZN GBV Gala 2026, a masquerade ball, held under the theme ‘Unmask the Truth. Ignite Change. Stand in Support’.
DSK founder Dr Daniel Rudy Chettiar addresses guests at the fifth annual DSK KZN GBV Gala, held to raise funds for survivor-support programmes in KwaZulu-Natal.
DSK founder Dr Daniel Rudy Chettiar said they learned that rescue is only the beginning.
“True empowerment means helping survivors regain their confidence, their independence, and their hope for a better future,” Chettiar said.
He said that for 16 years, the DSK Group has advocated for dignity and protection. Now they speak about having a safe house on the North Coast.
“This is our fifth DSK GBV Gala. Over that period, we have given 1 740 women opportunities to start their lives, and they are now employed by our partners,” Chettiar said.
His message was simple: at the fifth annual DSK GBV Gala, it is time to unmask, speak out, and end the silence surrounding GBV; reject denial, listen, believe, and act together to support survivors and take shared responsibility.
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli noted that survivors have long carried an undeserved burden of shame and self-doubt, while perpetrators benefit from silence and societal denial.
He said DSK’s work is vital because survivors need more than protection and rescue; they require restoration, opportunity, and pathways toward independence and self-determination.
“One of the ways that abuse happens is economic deprivation. Thus, it is important to empower potential and actual survivors,” Ntuli said.
The premier announced that Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer granted the DSK Group early occupation of one of the buildings owned by the provincial government for the purpose of helping GBV survivors and abandoned children.
Sibaya Community Trust chairman Vivian Reddy speaks at the DSK KZN GBV Gala, where leaders called for stronger prevention and survivor support.
Sibaya Community Trust founder and chairman Vivian Reddy asserted that GBV demands the urgency of a national emergency.
He urged men to take responsibility: violence and control are never justified. Challenge abusive behaviour. Prevention starts early at home and in schools by teaching respect, consent, and self-control.
He said survivors need safety alongside pathways to independence, counselling, and employment.
“At Sibaya Community Trust, we are turning that conviction into action. In partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development, we are upgrading a facility on the Bluff for GBV survivors and victim empowerment. And we hope to open that during the 16 Days of Activism,” Reddy said.
“Here at Sibaya Casino, we also invested over R10 million in GBV facilities at police stations across KwaZulu-Natal.”
Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman addresses guests at the DSK KZN GBV Gala.
Gift of the Givers founder and chairman Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said there is only one way to deal with this crisis in every aspect of our society.
“Take the labels off. Take the uniforms off. Take all the titles off… Stand together. Hold hands together. Build this country together. We need patriots. We need people who are going to stop complaining, and people will serve unconditionally because we’ve been blessed with what we have,” Sooliman said.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, said: “If we look at the statistics, 47.2% in the period of January and March this year alone, we have recorded sexual violence cases in our country.”
Letsike said the priority is not only to respond to GBV, but also to prevention efforts.
“Prevention remains key… No one should be violated, no one should be raped, no one should be forced or coerced for any other opportunistic approaches that we see.”
Letsike urged ward councillors or municipal officials to maintain street lights and grass, as these improve community safety, since fields become dumping sites for bodies.
Letsike said the presidency remains committed to ending GBV and calls on everyone — especially men taking responsibility — to champion this cause and raise better boys to become the better men of tomorrow.
A snapshot from a musical performance showcasing a love story that ends in child abandonment.