THOHOYANDOU – The Far North Network on Family Violence (FNNFV) has launched a project that will deal with domestic violence.

The project, which is funded by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) to the tune of R43 000, is called Digogodedzeni Nga Vhanwe (Lean on others).

It is going to run from this month, September, until February next year. According to the spokesperson for the network, Livhuwani Mafenya, the project is going to concentrate in areas of Dididi, Itsani, Maniini, Ha-Tshisele and Tshiulungoma under the Thohoyandou policing area. Mafenya also added that those areas have the highest record of domestic violence.

Mafenya said most of the domestic violence was caused by small things, like maintenance and child support grants. "Many men feel supporting their children is a form of punishment. Some mothers also scorn the supporting men.

"Some have a tendency of behaving as if they are enjoying the money with their new boyfriends as another way of provoking these supporting men. On the other hand, we have mothers who want to have more children, so that they can get money from the child support grant. However, these mothers tend to use the money intended for supporting the children, on buying clothes for themselves. As a result, the couple fight over the money," said Mafenya. Mafenya said they have decided to engage the commitment of different stakeholders so that they can work together in addressing this problem, hence the name, Digogodedzeni Nga Vhanwe ("Lean on others").

During the official launching of the project held at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre on Friday, stakeholders like the South African Police Services, the Justice department, civic organizations, traditional leaders, the Health and Welfare department, Thulamela municipality and the University of Venda-based Law Clinic pledged their commitment to support the project. The project was official launched by Thulamela Mayor, Chief Thivhulawi Makumbane, during the function held at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sport Centre on Friday. Makumba said most men were neglecting their responsibilities as men in their families. The official launching was also attended by Alex Mutshinya Nemakonde, from Munna Ndi Nnyi (Who is the real man?).