The “Thuthuzeleka” radio drama is a part of Sonke Gender Justice’s multi-component community radio project. The 13-part serial radio drama is designed to support survivors of sexual assault by raising awareness and dialogue. It aims to challenge negative attitudes and misconceptions that surround sexual violence, as well as provide practical information, such as steps to take following a sexual assault.
“Thuthuzeleka” is available in English, isiZulu, SeSotho and Tshivenda, and provided free to radio stations around South Africa, to encourage support for survivors of sexual assault and to promote access to South Africa’s Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) for care and treatment. TCCs are innovative one-stop centres, which offer comprehensive services and support for survivors of sexual assault.
Aptly named “Thuthuzeleka”, isiXhosa for “be comforted”, the story, which follows detective Busi Ncube as she goes undercover at a secondary school to find a serial rapist on the loose, aims to bring comfort, hope and support to those who have suffered sexual assault or rape.
More on the Story…
Fear grips a community threatened by an unknown serial rapist. The intrepid Detective Busi Ncube is assigned to the case, going deep undercover at the secondary school to try to catch the culprit. As she struggles to fit in, the suspect list grows, and the pressure is on to find the unknown assailant before she blows her cover, or anyone else gets hurt. Then the danger hits close to home, and when Busi’s new friend becomes the latest victim, she finds herself caught up in the local lives and worries more than she planned.
Working alongside Ma Elise, site coordinator for the local Thuthuzela Care Centre, Busi follows the clues, while trying to help support her friend in need through the process of reporting, medical exam, and giving a statement. Thabo struggles with his own problems, just when his sister needs him most. Will the rapist be caught? Can Busi succeed in her first assignment? How will the survivors cope? Find out on Thuthuzeleka!
About the project
Led by Sonke Gender Justice and produced by CMFD Productions, “Thuthuzeleka” is a crime/thriller story that encourages support for survivors of sexual assault and promotes access to Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) and similar services.
Sonke’s community radio project (a component of the joint project implemented by Sonke, Soul City, the Medical Research Council, the Foundation for Professional Development and the National Prosecuting Authority Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit) is working with radio stations near Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) throughout the country.
This has included providing radio station staff and community-based organisations with training on gender, HIV and AIDS and gender-based violence (GBV), training hosts and providing stations with programming in order to decrease the stigma surrounding rape, GBV and HIV and AIDS, and to create public awareness on these issues and the services available at the TCCs.
Surviving sexual assault
If you, a friend, a family member or someone you care about has experienced or is experiencing GBV you have a right to get help and support. Sometimes it is so upsetting, confusing and scary that it is difficult to know where to start. Surviving Sexual Assault is an online resource where you can find information about what to do and who can help. A resource catalogue provides a collection of resources for those working with survivors of sexual assault or gender-based violence. The website also offers a list of Thuthuzela Care Centres close to you.
Thuthuzeleka (English): Episodes 1-13
