5 MID MORNINGS - 16 DAYS 16 VOICES - CONSTANCE

In the 13th episode of "16 Days, 16 Voices" we hear from Constance in Tembisa. Her story begins with a husband who controlled her every move, refusing to let her go to work and accusing her of cheating whenever she did. One evening, after taking a taxi home from work, she was attacked and gang raped by seven strangers. She went home in shock and could not bring herself to speak. Instead of recognising her trauma, her husband beat her, accused her of being unfaithful, and forced himself on her. When he realised she was bleeding he beat her again and threw her out of their bedroom. This happened only hours after the assault. She eventually opened a case of domestic violence, and during that process a magistrate urged her to reach out to POWA. Through counselling she found support and strength. She divorced her husband, began rebuilding her life, and now works with POWA. She is a single mother of three, carrying the weight of being both parent and protector in her home.
"16 Days, 16 Voices" brings forward the truths many women are forced to carry in silence. Each story comes from someone who has survived in a country where danger feels ordinary and violence is woven into daily life. These voices show that GBV is not distant or theoretical, it is personal and it reshapes families, relationships, and entire communities. By allowing survivors to speak in their own words, we honour their reality and make it impossible to ignore the crisis in South Africa.