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OUR LEGACY

The story of Ilitha Labantu is inseparable from the life and vision of its founder, MANDISA MONAKALI (1960 – 2024), respected anti-apartheid activist, community leader, and tireless advocate for women's rights, 

Our Legacy Programmes

Mandisa Monakali’s legacy lives on through initiatives that preserve women’s stories, inspire dialogue and recognise leadership, while advancing the values of gender equality, social justice and community empowerment that shaped her life and work.

ANNUAL HIGH TEA

The Annual High Tea is one of Ilitha Labantu's flagship fundraising and awareness events, bringing together supporters, partners, community leaders, philanthropists, and advocates in celebration of the resilience and achievements of women. 


The event provides an opportunity to recognise individuals and organisations that have made meaningful contributions to advancing gender equality, social justice, and community wellbeing. Proceeds from the event support the Dorothy Zihlangu Transitional House, which provides temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and holistic assistance to women and children escaping violence and abuse. 

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ANNUAL MEMORIAL LECTURE

The Annual Mandisa Monakali Memorial Lecture honours the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of Ilitha Labantu's founder while advancing the conversations she championed throughout her life. More than a commemorative event, the Lecture serves as a platform for thought leadership, bringing together policymakers, academics, activists, development partners, community leaders, and civil society organisations to engage on issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable communities.


Each year, the Lecture creates space for critical reflection on progress, persistent challenges, and emerging opportunities in the areas of gender equality, human rights, social justice, and community development.

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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD

Each year, Ilitha Labantu marks the International Day of the Girl Child through its #GirlChat programme, creating a supportive space for girls to celebrate their identities, recognise their strengths and explore their potential as leaders and changemakers. The event provides an opportunity for girls to engage in meaningful conversations about their experiences, aspirations, rights and the challenges they face.

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Beyond the annual gathering, #GirlChat forms part of Ilitha Labantu’s ongoing commitment to supporting girls through their personal development and leadership journeys. By fostering peer connection, open dialogue and mutual support, the initiative helps girls build confidence, strengthen their voices and develop a greater sense of agency. It also creates opportunities for participants to learn from one another, share their perspectives and build relationships that can continue beyond the event.

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ANNUAL MEN'S ConFERENCE

The Annual Men's Conference brings together men, practitioners and sector leaders from across the Western Cape. In a closed-session conference, men are able to critical engagement on the social realities shaping men’s lives, including the pressures, expectations and contradictions embedded within contemporary masculinities. These dynamics continue to influence behaviour, interpersonal conduct and the broader patterns of harm that emerge in society. 


Participants reflect on their own experiences while interrogating the norms, narratives and conditions that give rise to men’s agency and vulnerability. It is a platform for honest discourse, thoughtful analysis and the collective exploration of how 
men can contribute meaningfully to shifting harmful norms and advancing a more accountable and equitable society. 

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Annual Special Events

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