The Lavender Hill area has recently been in the news with the serious issue of gang violence and in July, Premier Helen Zille asked President Zuma to send troops to curtail the violence. At the time, at least 23 people had been killed in the Western Cape in six weeks.
Seventeen of them were killed in the Lavender Hill and Hanover Park areas.
Mrs Lucinda Evans founded Philisa Abafazi Bethu in 2008 in response to the domestic abuse and sexual violence faced by women in the Lavender Hill area.
Philisa Abafazi Bethu provides a safe space, support and educating women, and children who are victims of sexual, domestic and family violence about their rights, to be able to live freely and without fear.
The organisation also provides support for women, young girls and children who are infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, TB and STI.
They also provide assistance through awareness programmes and education programmes with a heavy focus on literacy.
To assist women to become entrepreneurs through income generating activities, for example Arts and Crafts & skills development.
They run a safe house in Wynberg for women and children, and Lucinda’s home in Lavender Hill continues to function as an emergency shelter as well.
They also assist local children with an after-school literacy and feeding programme, in addition to their elderly care programme as well.
There are currently 229 women and children benefitting from their various programmes.
