A Message from the Founder
As Incema celebrate 12 years of INCEMA’s journey, I am filled with profound gratitude, humility and hope. Looking back to where we began in 2014 and reflecting on how far we have come, I am reminded that every milestone we have reached has been made possible through God’s grace, the dedication of our team, and the unwavering support of the many individuals, organizations and communities who have believed in our vision.
Over the past 12 years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside children in need of protection, survivors seeking healing, families searching for hope and communities committed to building a future free from violence and injustice. Every programme we have implemented and every partnership we have established has strengthened our belief that lasting change is possible when people unite around a shared purpose.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Board of Directors, staff members, volunteers, government departments, development partners, donors, community leaders, schools, faith-based organisations and every person who has contributed to the growth and success of INCEMA. Your commitment, encouragement and partnership have enabled us to continue serving the most vulnerable members of our communities with compassion, integrity and excellence.
While today is a moment of celebration, it is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to protecting children, advancing gender justice and strengthening communities. Much has been achieved, but there is still much work to be done. Together, I believe we can continue building safer, healthier and more resilient communities for generations to come.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for being part of this incredible journey.
Our Journey
Incema is a South African registered non-profit organisation established in 2014 to advance child protection, gender justice and community wellbeing through integrated prevention and response programmes that address violence against women and girls, child abuse, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and harmful social norms.
Founded by a social justice professional with extensive experience in the criminal justice, child protection and social development sectors, the organisation was established to address critical gaps in coordinated, survivor-centred and child-sensitive services for women, children and families affected by violence.
Our Philosophy
Incema’s work is guided by the belief that violence against women and girls is not an isolated event but part of an intergenerational cycle of violence that often begins in childhood through abuse, neglect, trauma, harmful gender socialisation and unequal power relations.
The organisation believes that sustainable prevention cannot rely solely on responding to survivors after violence has occurred. It requires protecting children, strengthening families, empowering women and girls, engaging men and boys as allies, transforming harmful social norms and building resilient communities that collectively reject violence.
This philosophy has shaped Incema’s integrated community protection and social norms transformation model, which combines prevention, early intervention, survivor support and community mobilisation to address both the root causes and consequences of violence.
12 Years of Incema Community Impact
Over the past 12 years, Incema has developed and implemented an integrated programme model that operates across the socio-ecological spectrum, recognising that sustainable behaviour change requires action at individual, family, community and institutional levels.
The organization implements programmes in:
- Child Protection
- Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
- Psycho-social Support
- Trauma Counselling
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Positive Masculinity and Men and Boys Engagement
- Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s Empowerment
- School Safety
- Youth Leadership
- Economic Empowerment
- Community Mobilisation
These interventions work collectively to transform attitudes, behaviours and social norms while strengthening protective factors that reduce vulnerability to violence.
Protecting Children Remains Our Priority
Child protection remains the foundation of Incema’s prevention approach.
The organisation recognises that children are among the most vulnerable members of society and that early experiences of abuse, neglect and violence often shape future cycles of victimisation and harmful behaviour.
Between June 2024 and June 2026 alone, Incema received and supported seventy-three (73) new children exhibiting harmful sexual behaviours.
Behind each of these numbers is a child, a family, a school and a community seeking support, guidance and hope.
These cases continue to remind us why early intervention and specialised services are so important.
Incema is one of the few organisations in South Africa providing specialised interventions for children affected by sexual abuse, as well as children displaying harmful sexual behaviours, complemented by family strengthening, parenting support, school-based prevention and psycho-social services.
By intervening early and strengthening protective environments, Incema contributes to breaking the cycle of violence before it extends into adolescence and adulthood.
Communities at the Centre
Community ownership is central to Incema’s implementation model.
The organisation has extensive experience facilitating community dialogues, intergenerational conversations, positive masculinity programmes, youth engagement initiatives, school-based interventions and campaigns that promote gender equality, respectful relationships and violence prevention.
Incema works closely with women and girls, men and boys, parents, educators, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, community leadership structures and local stakeholders to foster shared responsibility for preventing violence and creating safer communities.
Through these participatory approaches, communities become active agents of change rather than passive recipients of services.
Building Strong Partnerships
Recognising that lasting change requires collective action, Incema has established strong partnerships with government departments, municipalities, schools, healthcare facilities, research institutions, community structures, women’s rights organisations, civil society organisations and regional partners.
Through these collaborations, the organisation has strengthened referral pathways, coordinated community campaigns, improved access to protection services and contributed to integrated responses to gender-based violence across South Africa.
Investing in the Future
Incema has demonstrated leadership in integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights into violence prevention through comprehensive sexuality education, menstrual health management, adolescent health programmes, youth-friendly services and community education.
This integrated approach empowers women, girls and young people to make informed decisions, exercise bodily autonomy and build healthy, respectful relationships.
Milestones Worth Celebrating
Our journey has been marked by significant milestones.
We have strengthened psychosocial support within the justice system, contributed to the adoption of local protocols at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court, expanded services into schools, developed innovative behavioural change programmes and created opportunities for 55 individuals through employment, internships, experiential learning placements and professional development.
The organisation has also been recognised for leadership, innovation, organisational growth, financial compliance and sustainability, reflecting our commitment to excellence and accountability.
A Heartfelt Word of Appreciation
This work would not be possible without the dedication of Incema’s staff, many of whom serve as volunteers and generously give their time, knowledge and skills to the organisation.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our current funders—Global Affairs Canada through the WVL Programme, GBV Response Fund 1, and Community Chest Pietermaritzburg—as well as our previous funders, including the National Development Agency, The Solidarity Fund, and Amplify Change.
We also express our sincere gratitude to Gender Links for their continued mentorship, capacity building and partnership throughout our journey.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this important milestone, we do so with gratitude for the past, pride in the present and hope for the future.
Our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue working alongside communities, protecting children, promoting gender equality, empowering young people and strengthening families as we strive to build a South Africa where every person can live in safety, dignity and hope.
Thank you for being part of the INCEMA journey. Together, we are creating lasting change.
With sincere gratitude,
INCEMA Non-Profit Organisation
