Actress Lunathi Mampofu Launches Self-Defense Initiative Against Gender Violence

JOHANNESBURG — This past weekend

Actress and activist Lunathi Mampofu has launched a women’s self-defense initiative called My Defense to combat gender-based violence in South Africa. The “Inimba” star hosted a workshop at Sandton’s Ringside Fitness to empower women and girls with protection skills (Mampofu statement).

“I founded this initiative out of both pain and purpose,” Mampofu told The Citizen. She described growing up fearing everyday activities: “Growing up in South Africa, I’ve witnessed firsthand how unsafe our communities can be for women and young girls. I’ve lived through moments of fear, where simply getting into a car or walking down the street felt like a risk.”

My Defense focuses on both physical self-defense and rebuilding confidence. It aims to restore dignity and freedom lost to violence (Mampofu statement).

Mampofu said her role as Zoleka Bikitsha on Mzansi Magic’s “Inimba” showed her storytelling’s power. But this Women’s Month, she wanted real-world action beyond acting.

She created the initiative for women to “heal, and learn how to reclaim their strength and power,” turning personal experiences into empowerment tools.

The actress declared: “With My Defense, I’m saying: enough. We are no longer waiting for someone else to protect us. We are protecting ourselves. It’s about reclaiming our power, our safety, and our right to live boldly without fear.”

Amid South Africa’s gender violence crisis, Mampofu’s work demonstrates community-led solutions for safer futures (workshop observation).