Confronting Legacies of Gender-Based Violence: Looking Inward to Find Love

This chapter describes how countering GBV in his communities became increasingly important to Mandla throughout his activist career in TAC, SJC, and in MCSJ. The chapter depicts the growing sense of crisis around GBV during his years in TAC, and the need to advocate for survivors of GBV and Victims’ families with police and in the courts. At the same time TAC established men’s groups designed to challenge the roots of misogynist and anti-LGBTQI violent behavior, and women’s groups to provide emotional support, training, and empowerment for women. The chapter addresses as well the acute pain of repeatedly witnessing survivors of GBV and victims’ families having to revisit traumatic events in the interest of prosecuting perpetrators, as well as spreading awareness and galvanizing activism around GBV in their communities.