Gayton McKenzie
By Mpho Moloi
Pretoria, South Africa – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has unveiled an ambitious plan to refurbish a war-era transit camp in Angola, once a refuge for displaced South Africans during the country’s civil war, into a shelter for abused women. The announcement came during a heartfelt speech at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria on Sunday, 23 March 2025, as part of an event honouring the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. This historic battle, fought between 1987 and 1988 in southern Angola, is celebrated for its role in Namibia’s independence and the eventual collapse of apartheid.
A New Chapter for an Old Camp
South Africa’s history is intertwined with Angola’s, especially during the turbulent years of apartheid and regional conflict. The transit camp McKenzie spoke of was a lifeline for displaced people, including South Africans fleeing persecution or involved in the liberation struggle. Located in southern Angola, it provided temporary shelter during the civil war that ravaged the country from 1975 to 2002. Now, decades later, McKenzie wants to give it a new purpose.
“When completed, the building will house abused women,” he declared, envisioning a safe haven for some of society’s most vulnerable. The minister reflected on the camp’s past, noting how it once offered protection to women in transit groups. “Not only did you give us a place to stay while we were transitting but you also made sure that the women that was in the group get a special case where they can sleep that’s more safer and more secure,” McKenzie said, paying tribute to Angola’s historical solidarity.
The idea is both practical and symbolic—turning a relic of war into a beacon of healing. But it’s more than just a building project; it’s a statement about addressing South Africa’s ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) while strengthening ties with Angola.
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale: A Turning Point
The Freedom Park event wasn’t just about the shelter announcement—it was a moment to look back. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, fought between Cuban and Angolan forces against South African and UNITA troops, is etched in history as a game-changer. Spanning late 1987 to early 1988, it was one of the largest military engagements in Africa, with heavy casualties on all sides—estimates suggest over 4,000 died (History Today, 2023).
For South Africa, it marked a shift. “The confrontations played a role in Namibia’s independence and the fall of apartheid,” McKenzie said. The battle weakened the apartheid regime’s military confidence and bolstered the liberation movement. Namibia gained independence in 1990, and South Africa’s first democratic election followed in 1994. Freedom Park, with its Wall of Names honouring fallen heroes, was the perfect backdrop for McKenzie’s words.
Why a Shelter for Abused Women?
South Africa’s GBV crisis is staggering. In 2024 alone, police recorded over 12,000 rape cases in the third quarter (SAPS Crime Stats), and experts say that’s just the tip of the iceberg—many incidents go unreported. Shelters are in short supply, with organisations like the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Cape Town often turning women away due to lack of space (Cape Argus, January 2025). McKenzie’s plan taps into this urgent need.
The minister, who leads the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has made GBV a personal mission. In February 2025, he pledged R5 million from his department to fund anti-GBV initiatives (IOL News), a move that won him praise but also sparked debate over budget priorities. Turning the Angola camp into a shelter builds on that commitment, offering a cross-border solution that could inspire similar projects.
Angola-South Africa Ties: A Shared History
The project isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about deepening a bond. Angola sheltered thousands of South African exiles during apartheid, from ANC activists to ordinary families fleeing violence. Camps like the one McKenzie described were often run by the MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola) with Cuban support. “Angola opened its arms when we had nowhere else to go,” says historian Dr. Thabo Mokoena. “This shelter is a way to say thank you.”
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