Elevate Her: IOL donates toiletries to Focus Mamelodi Community Organisation
Throughout the month of August, IOL featured homeless women and their stories on its social media platforms, highlighting their struggles. IOL reporters visited shelters, speaking with women who have endured various hardships, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and struggles with substance abuse.
The Chairperson of the Focus Mamelodi Community Organisation and founder of Focus NGO, Thandi Mashaba, expressed her gratitude for the donation, but noted that she also faces significant challenges.
”We currently do not have a shelter to accommodate the women we are assisting through this initiative. We would greatly appreciate support from the government so that we can continue with our project. At the moment, we hold most of our meetings under a tree, and sometimes the weather is not on our side,” said Mashaba.
Focus Mamelodi Community NPO is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and educating communities about different forms of abuse, with a focus on women and children. In August 2025, the organisation hosted a major anti-abuse campaign in Mamelodi.
“Our mission is to protect and empower women and children,” said Chairperson Thandi Mashaba.
The Elevate HER campaign received support from the public and several organisations. A number of individuals dropped off donations at IOL’s offices in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town, with readers also supporting the campaign on social media, in an effort to rally behind the cause, and make a difference to the lives of those in need.
The campaign also received an Honourable Mention at the 2024 INMA Global Media Awards.
Elevate HER was launched under the theme “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers”.