In the 2nd episode of "16 Days, 16 Voices" we hear from Melissa Shawe, who shares the reality of growing up in a home marked by violence at the hands of her stepfather. She speaks about years of sexual assault and ongoing physical abuse, and the fear that became part of everyday life. Melissa describes how she would sometimes barricade her younger sisters in a room with her to keep them safe, the time her step father attempted to burn them all alive, or his violent tirades where he beat her with a sjambok. Melissa’s voice is a powerful reminder of the resilience of survivors and of how many families in South Africa are living through similar situations right now.

"16 Days, 16 Voices" is our space to stop, listen, and confront the reality of living as a woman in South Africa. Every story in this campaign comes from someone who has survived a country where fear is routine and violence is close to home. These voices remind us that GBV is not a headline or a statistic, it is a lived experience that shapes families, futures, and entire communities. By giving women and girls the room to speak in their own words, we honour their truth and make sure the urgency of this crisis is felt in a way that cannot be ignored.

Managing Director at The Living Link, Gregory Sirmongpong, brings us into the organisation's world. We unpack the efforts of the organisation to upskill and assist with employment experience for the intellectually challenged and we learn about the dignifying significance of independent living for learning disabled adults.

Do you have buyer's remorse? Have you ever bought/spent money on something that you regretted?

In the first episode of "16 Days, 16 Voices" we hear from poet and activist Nomonde Sky, a content creator and writer whose work is rooted in truth telling and survival. Her poem, "I'd like to apologise", is an unflinching piece that reflects the daily reality of being a woman in South Africa. It calls out the ways women are expected to shrink themselves, smooth things over, and carry harm quietly so that everyone else can stay comfortable. Nomonde uses her voice to show what it costs to live like that and why speaking up is an act of resistance in itself.

"16 Days, 16 Voices" is our space to stop, listen, and confront the reality of living as a woman in South Africa. Every story in this campaign comes from someone who has survived a country where fear is routine and violence is close to home. These voices remind us that GBV is not a headline or a statistic, it is a lived experience that shapes families, futures, and entire communities. By giving women and girls the room to speak in their own words, we honour their truth and make sure the urgency of this crisis is felt in a way that cannot be ignored.

Not everyone deserves a platform, even in the age of the internet.

What order do you do things in, in the morning?

What’s a “very you” thing that your friends always tease you about?

We are joined by Namritha Sivsanker to hear about the organisation's work during 16 Days of Activism and how the nation's efforts should persist beyond this period. Namritha speaks on how South Africans can raise awareness about GBV and how it affects the hope of the country.

The people who say “I don’t care what anyone thinks” usually care the most.