Alexis once believed she was the kind of person to whom abuse could never happen. She was well educated, thriving in her career, confident in her decisions, and “in the know.” But what unfolded left her bewildered and emotionally paralysed. She began questioning her thoughts, her feelings, and even her own words. Living in a constant state of anxiety, confusion, and self-doubt, she didn’t understand what was happening, only that she could not move forward.

Only later would Alexis realise that she was being gaslit – a form of psychological abuse that erodes a person’s sense of reality. She found herself trapped in a cycle: he promised change, she returned, and the abuse resumed, just as before. It was only much later that she would come to understand this cycle as trauma bonding. 

Her turning point came after experiencing a miscarriage. Her Line Manager noticed her distress and stepped in,  a moment of care that led to her being admitted to a wellness facility for 6 weeks. There Alexis found professional support and connection. She states: “For 6 weeks I had access to psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapy and was connected with other women who experienced what I had.” Empowered with this new language and an understanding of the cycles of abuse, she gained a deeper view on what had happened to her. She began to understand the red flags she hadn’t seen before. Most importantly, she started to heal.

But Alexis was also aware of the privilege embedded in her journey. She had access to wellness benefits through medical aid, a supportive employer, and the right interventions at the right time. What about those who have none of those things, no job, no insurance, no one to notice their pain?

That question became the next phase of Alexis’s healing. Inspired by the strength of the women who shared their stories with her, Alexis began to ask “what if we could create and simulate this same kind of healing for others impacted by GBV?”

Her answer was to meet people where they are, literally. Together with a team of collaborators, she designed a radio-based programme as a scalable, low-barrier platform for GBV awareness and healing. Radio, still one of the most accessible media channels across the continent, became the bridge.

As a South African, Alexis is piloting this initiative through a beta launch on Heart FM in the Western Cape and Gagasi FM in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The programme has already reached more than 2 million people, sparking real conversations about GBV, accountability, and healing. At its heart is a call to reflection and to action.

“What can I do?” you may be asking.

Take the necessary action to help yourself; then build the courage to stand up for someone else.

At MTN, we believe in creating safe spaces, supporting recovery, and using our platforms to amplify voices like Alexis’s; voices that challenge silence and inspire action. Because there is #NoExcuse for Gender-Based Violence