Talitha Oosthuizen, newly crowned Mrs South Africa 2nd Princess, unveils her bold mission: to fight gender-based violence (GBV) as part of the national campaign during the 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December. To kick-start her campaign, Oosthuizen joined in the national Women for Change campaign to demonstrate her support in the fight against GBV.
Oosthuizen sees her pageant title as a platform for real change. Her campaign: “More than a crown – breaking the chains of GBV,” captures her commitment: to shatter the cycles of abuse and bring hope where there is pain.
The scourge of GBV in South Africa
According to a HSRC Study and figures that were released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the fourth quarterly period of the 2024/2025, statistics indicate that:
- 137 women were murdered between January and March 2025.
- Over 1,000 women were raped between January and March 2025.
- One in three women in South Africa have experienced physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
These are not just statistics – they are human lives, families shattered and futures stolen.
With this in mind, Oosthuizen says, “I refuse to let a crown just sit pretty. I will use every opportunity I have to shine a light on the darkest corners of our society, where far too many women and children suffer in silence.”
The link between GBV and Human Trafficking
Oosthuizen is popularly known for her fight against human trafficking. She works in partnership with Shattering Shackles, one of the few organisations in South Africa tackling human trafficking, a crime deeply interwoven with GBV.
She explains that the link between GBV and Human Trafficking includes sexual exploitation and partner control which can lead to emotional and physical abuse.
A call to action – for women, for change
Oosthuizen’s message to survivors is simple and powerful: You are not your trauma. She encourages women who have suffered abuse to recognise their worth, to seek help, and to refuse to be defined by their suffering.
Through her role in Mrs South Africa, Oosthuizen also calls on other women: “It’s never too late to chase your dreams – Whether it’s entering a pageant, pursuing a career, or advocating for change – your voice and your story matter.”
She encourages women to enter the Mrs South Africa pageant, to see it not just as a competition, but as a life-changing journey. “You don’t need to be perfect,” she says. “You just need the courage to stand up, to speak out, and to lead.”
“I may wear a crown, but I carry a mission to help break the chains of gender-based violence, to uplift women, and to fight for a South Africa where women and children live in safety, dignity, and hope.”
During the 16 Days of Activism, Oosthuizen encourages South Africans to donate to Shattering Shackles to help fight GBV and human trafficking.
Shattering Shackles is a South African NGO working to combat modern slavery and trafficking, offering direct support and rehabilitation to survivors. It is one of only a handful of organisations involved in justice operations and with this limited national reach, currently only one in 250 victims is found and freed from traffickers in South Africa.
Susan Saila, Founder of Shattering Shackles says that funds are needed to expand the organisation’s reach for awareness and education, and equally important, to contract investigators, psychologists and other professionals – all crucial in the process to protect more lives.
Donate funds to help raise awareness and protect lives:
Blue Whisper Foundation
Nedbank Limited
Account Number: 1203478453
Branch Code: 198765
Swift Code: NEDSZAJJ
Reference: TIP (Trafficking in Persons)
Hotlines and Emergency Telephone Numbers:
- GBV National Command Centre: Call the 24-hour command centre on 0800 428 428.
- Hotline for Human Trafficking in South Africa – 0800 222 777
- Women Abuse Helpline: Call 0800 150 150.
- SMS/USSD: Dial 120786# for support.
Awareness Days during 16 Days of Activism:
- November 25: International Day of No Violence Against Women
- November 29: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
- December 1: World Aids Day
- December 3: International Day for Persons with Disabilities
- December 10: International Human Rights Day