Komani event aims to help women turn shame into healing

A community event planned for Komani this September will encourage survivors of sexual assault and trauma to find healing, hope and resilience through faith.

The event, titled “Turning the Shame Around”, will take place on 5 September 2026 at 10:00 at the Indoor Sport Centre in Komani. Entry is free.

Host Pelokazi Bilikwa says the event was inspired by her own experience of surviving a traumatic sexual assault more than a decade ago.

According to Bilikwa, she was sexually assaulted in Queenstown in 2015 while studying during her second semester at college. She says the man was known to her and had pursued a relationship with her. During the incident, she says she was threatened with a firearm after fighting for her life.

Rather than allowing the experience to define her, Bilikwa says her journey of healing led her to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

She believes her faith helped restore her hope, gave her strength to forgive the perpetrator, and transformed her from a victim into what she describes as “a conqueror.”

“The treasure I found in my trauma was Christ Jesus, who walked me through my healing journey. He restored my hope when I was hopeless and gave me resilience, hope and forgiveness,” she said.

The event’s central message is captured in its theme: “Woman, the shame is not yours to carry.”

Bilikwa hopes the gathering will encourage women and other survivors of sexual violence to understand that they are not alone and that healing is possible.

The programme will include education and discussion around sexual assault from a Christian perspective, as well as messages of encouragement and resilience. Guest speakers Kash Mankayi and Bongi Nkunzi are also expected to address attendees.

Organisers say the session is intended to inspire the Komani community by sharing a message of hope and reminding survivors that their experiences do not have to determine their future.

For more information, interested community members can contact 076 201 3428.