For years, Zintle Khobeni believed herself strong enough to resist violence. But in 2015, a gang-rape in her home in Johannesburg shattered her sense of security and sent her world crumbling. At just 24, she was forced to confront the brutal realities of sexual violence and its lasting societal repercussions.
Seeking a fresh start, Zintle moved to Cape Town, only to be betrayed again—this time by her manager, who exploited her vulnerability. The weight of shame and silence, coupled with a justice system designed to fail survivors, left her struggling. When she finally confided in her family, their first reaction was concern for public opinion. “What will people say?” they asked.
For years, she bore the burden of trauma alone. It wasn’t until she pursued legal studies in Cape Town that she began to see her experiences not just as personal tragedies but as crimes demanding accountability. Encouraged by a colleague, she sought therapy—a concept she had once dismissed. But therapy became her turning point, helping her reject misplaced shame and begin healing.
With healing came clarity. Zintle recognised the systemic failures that silenced survivors and allowed abusers to act with impunity. Determined to change that, she founded an organisation dedicated to supporting survivors, providing free paralegal assistance, and fighting for justice.
Read the full story by Ijeoma Clare on Prime Progress.