Welcome TO OPRET ADVICE OFFICE
HISTORY
Established
on the 2nd of July 2000 and formally registered in 2001 with
the Department of Social
Development as a Non-Profit
Organisation (NPO), OPRET ADVICE OFFICE is also recognized as a Tax-Exempt Entity. The organisation is
affiliated with the Community
Advice Offices of South Africa (CAOSA) both provincially and
nationally.
The founding of OPRET ADVICE
OFFICE was inspired by the vision and commitment of a woman who began her
journey as a Para-legal practitioner
in Mokerong in 1989, during the final years of apartheid. Her extensive
experience and dedication to community justice laid the foundation for OPRET’s
mission to defend and promote human rights.
Since its inception, OPRET ADVICE OFFICE has played a pivotal role in strengthening communities across the Waterberg District by educating people on socio-economic and fundamental rights, using the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) and its subsequent amendments as a guiding framework.
Key community education
efforts have included:
Civic
education on the right to vote.
Access
to social security services.
Advocacy
against gender-based violence and
femicide (GBVF).
Our primary focus is on supporting marginalised and vulnerable groups including women, girls, men, the LGBTQI+ community, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and refugees.
At OPRET, we believe that building strong relationships with public officials, civil society organisations, and community leaders is essential to the effective prevention and response to human rights violations and GBV. We work collaboratively to ensure that survivors’ voices are heard, their needs addressed, and justice pursued.
Over the years, OPRET has:
Amplified both individual and collective efforts to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
Led regional advocacy initiatives to address GBVF and challenge harmful cultural norms.
Provided education and technical support to allied organisations and community structures.
Mobilised communities to challenge systemic inequities, rigid gender roles, and the abuse of power.
Improved institutional responsiveness and accountability.
The organisation is led by a qualified Para-Legal Practitioner, holding a Diploma in Law from North-West University, along with numerous certifications from Potchefstroom University, UNISA, and the University of Pretoria. She is also a registered Mediator with the Association of Mediators under ADRSA (Alternative Dispute Resolution South Africa).
OPRET
works in active partnership with:
SONKE GENDER JUSTICE
GBVF RESPONSE FUND
Hlanganisa Institute for
Development in Southern Africa.
SCAT
BLACK SASH
AULAI TRUST
KAGISO TRUST
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
THUTHUZELA CARE CENTRE.
MOGALAKWENA MUNICIPALITY
14 Victim Empowerment
Programmes (VEPs) in the Waterberg District
18 Paralegal Advice Offices across
Limpopo Province
Chapter Nine Institutions for
referrals, networking, and capacity building
Government Departments such
as the Department of Justice, Department of Social Development, SASSA,
Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the South African Police
Service (SAPS) and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs (CoGTA).
Through these partnerships,
OPRET continues to build capacity, strengthen networks, and coordinate
community-driven solutions to uphold dignity, justice, and healing for
all.
Commitment
to Ethical Leadership and Safeguarding
OPRET ADVICE OFFICE is
committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct,
accountability, and protection in all aspects of its work. Our leadership team
is trained in trauma-informed approaches, ensuring that all services are
delivered with sensitivity, compassion, and awareness of the complex impact of
trauma on survivors.
In line with international
safeguarding standards, our supervisor has successfully completed both in-person
training and online mentorship on Protection from Sexual
Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) under the guidance of the United
Nations. This training strengthens our ability to create safe,
survivor-centered spaces and reinforce protective systems across all levels of
our operations.
OPRET ADVICE OFFICE maintains
a Zero Tolerance Policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
(SEA). We do not permit any staff member, partner, or individual affiliated
with our organisation to engage in any form of sexual exploitation or
abuse—particularly against vulnerable women and children who engage
with or benefit from our services.
This policy is strictly
enforced, and all violations are treated with utmost seriousness, following
clear protocols for reporting, investigation, and accountability. We remain
committed to fostering a culture of safety, respect, and dignity in
every community we serve.
To provide holistic and accessible support services that promote human rights, psychosocial wellbeing, and legal empowerment. We strive to ensure justice through education, para-legal assistance, court preparation, mediation, and advocacy with a focus on protecting the rights of women and children, supporting survivors of gender-based violence, and addressing social and economic challenges with compassion and integrity.
A society where dignity, justice, and healing are a lived reality for all especially for women, children, and vulnerable individuals.
- Dignity. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and humanity.
- Justice. We promote fair and equal access to legal and social services for all members of society.
- Healing. We support emotional and psychological restoration for survivors and individuals in crisis.
- Empowerment. We equip communities with knowledge and tools to understand and claim their rights.
- Integrity. We commit to transparency, professionalism, and accountability in all our actions.
- Compassion. We serve with empathy, understanding the unique challenges of each person we assist.
- Advocacy. We stand up for the rights of the marginalized, especially women and children, by challenging injustice and inequality.
- Collaboration. We work with stakeholders, communities, and partners to create sustainable impact.
OPRET ADVICE OFFICE: Contribution to the
National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF)
OPRET Advice Office is a community-based non-profit organisation committed to advancing social justice, human rights, and gender equity. Aligned with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF), OPRET contributes across multiple pillars through a combination of direct services, advocacy, prevention, and community mobilisation. This report outlines our key activities and impact under each relevant pillar of the NSP.
