Amanda du-Pont Champions GBV Shutdown with Six-Figure Donation: ‘This Fight Is Personal’
South African actress and entrepreneur Amanda du-Pont has thrown her substantial influence and financial resources behind a nationwide gender-based violence (GBV) shutdown scheduled for November 21st, declaring the cause “personal” in her ongoing advocacy against sexual and physical abuse.
Substantial Financial Backing for Women For Change
Through her skincare company, Lelive, du-Pont has pledged R100,000 to the NGO Women For Change, the primary organizer of the upcoming protest. The donation underscores a deep commitment that extends beyond symbolic support.
“This is not just a campaign moment for us – it’s personal,” Lelive stated, framing the contribution as an integral part of their corporate identity and social responsibility.
From Personal Trauma to Public Advocacy
The actress’s public stance is deeply rooted in her own harrowing experience. In 2021, du-Pont came forward with detailed allegations that she was repeatedly raped, assaulted, and subjected to an attempted murder by her ex-boyfriend, media personality Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye, during their relationship from 2006 to 2009.
Her testimony was part of a broader case that led to Jub Jub’s arrest in 2023, alongside three other women who filed similar charges. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) later dropped all charges, citing “no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.”
National Shutdown Gains Momentum
The G20 Women’s Shutdown, organized by Women For Change, represents a coordinated national response to what many activists describe as South Africa’s GBV epidemic. The movement has gained significant traction, with a supporting petition amassing over one million signatures demanding the government declare gender-based violence a national disaster.
On the organization’s Instagram page, du-Pont commented powerfully on the widespread nature of the crisis: “This is happening across all genders, to children too. To whoever has been affected, and those not alive today. We stand and fight for you.”
The Broader Context of Celebrity Advocacy in South Africa
Du-Pont’s high-profile involvement highlights a growing trend of South African celebrities leveraging their platforms to drive social change on critical issues. Her transition from a survivor who shared her story to a strategic funder of grassroots movements demonstrates an evolution in advocacy—channeling personal pain into systemic support for organizations on the front lines.
This shift from awareness-raising to direct financial backing provides crucial resources for NGOs like Women For Change, enabling them to mobilize communities and sustain long-term campaigns against GBV.
This report is based on original reporting from The South African.