Coordinators: Zandile Khanyile and Thabisile Miya. Zandile has worked for CCJ since 1998, and Thabisile joined in 2005

Location: Umgungundlovu Municipal District (the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal)

Area: 4,320sqkm

Population: 200,331

Contact: 033 502 0132 (tel / fax)

Email: newhanover.ccj@gmail.com

Most common cases: Domestic violence and legal advice

Areas served: The areas of Dalton, Wartburg, Trust Feed, Empolweni, Cramond, Swayimane,  Claridge, Clan Syndicate, Cool Air, Fawn Lease, Mount Elias, Efaya, Montebello, Appelsbosch and Harburg.

Description: Opened in 1997, the advice office is situated at the New Hanover Magistrate’s Court. New Hanover is inhabited by workers who rely on farming for employment, and infrastructure is basic and mainly serves the needs of the farmers. Although this area is fifty kilometres from Pietermaritzburg, most people only come to town on pay day when they are transported by farmers in lorries to come and buy food. Most of the white farmers have allowed workers’ children to go to schools on the farms, although the school buildings are delapidated. The health facilities and clinics are far from where most people live, and roads are poor and transport scarce and expensive.

There are high levels of unemployment in the area, and of alcohol abuse, which contributes to domestic violence. Other problems are teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, child delinquency, and HIV, with sufferers of the latter often not having ID documents and as a result being unable to receive anti-retrovirals.

Since 1998

What are the main problems that you have to deal with?

The main problems are poverty and evictions of farm labourers

Have you had a case when you relied on traditional customs?

We do see cases where people want to use traditional laws. We don’t apply those laws but refer them to the traditional leaders

Would you say people's attitudes and behaviour are starting to change?

Yes – women’s attitudes have changed. They have become empowered to speak out and claim their rights.

Who is your role model?

Winnie Mandela, because she is a strong woman who fought for her people.

Are there any laws that would like to see changed?

There is abuse of child support grants by mothers who take the money and spend it on themselves instead of on the children. The government should try to do something about this.
Zandile at the New Hanover support centre

Can you describe one or two of the most satisfying cases you have dealt with?

There was a case of a widow whose son died, and she wanted to obtain his Provident Fund. She didn’t know how to get it and came to me for help. She needed certain documents from the police such as the post-mortem. I got the documents myself and had to push the company and chase them up. After a year we got the payment.

If you could change anything about your work and the people you deal with, what would it be and why?

We need a photocopier, a computer and a fax. We can’t make outgoing calls on the landline. We can use the copier at the court next to us but it they are not always there to ask permission and we don’t want to bother them.

What advice would you give children growing up in New Hanover?

I would advise them to study and not leave school early to work, but to stick with their education.

Thabisile Miya

Since 2005. I was a paralegal before I came to work here.

What are the main problems that you have to deal with?

The main problems are domestic violence, rape and labour issues.

Have you had a case when you relied on traditional customs?

We do see cases where people want to use traditional laws. We don’t apply those laws but refer them to the traditional leaders.

Would you say people's attitudes and behaviour are starting to change?

Yes – women’s attitudes have changed. They have become empowered to speak out and claim their rights.

Who is your role model?

Nelson Mandela, because he fought for our freedom.                                                      (Below) A client at New Hanover Support Centre

Are there any laws that would like to see changed?

The Children’s Act makes it legal for children as young as twelve to do family planning and have an abortion. I would change that.                      

What are some particular challenges that you face?

We need a photocopier, a computer, a fax. We can’t make outgoing calls on the landline.

Can you describe one or two of the most satisfying cases you have dealt with?

A client’s grandmother died and the father of her child didn’t want to help support their child. She came to ask for advice, and I called the father to mediation and he agreed to pay. He is still paying maintenance now.

What advice would you give children growing up in New Hanover?

I would say that education is the key and that you should study until matric and afterwards if you can.