Johannesburg – As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, MISA TV has turned the spotlight on sexual harassment, a pervasive issue that undermines dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace.
In a powerful interview, Nothemba Sonjica, Acting Manager in the Office of the Commission for Gender Equality, stressed the urgent need for companies to adopt strong, victim-centred policies in line with the Code of Good Practice on Sexual Harassment and to train staff regularly on acceptable conduct.
Sonjica explained that sexual harassment is defined as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, and that power dynamics play a critical role in how victims experience and respond to such behaviour.
“With complainants it becomes difficult to indicate their resistance or non-consent because of intimidation and issues of coercion,” she said.
“Intimidation and coercion are recognised in the Sexual Offences legislation as well as sexual harassment as well.
“So when a person responds a certain way, that might not be a true reflection of their consent, or it might not be a true reflection of them saying this conduct is welcome.”
The conversation comes against the backdrop of the well-documented case involving Justice Mbenenge, Judge President of the Eastern Cape, who faces allegations of sexual harassment.
This case underscores how entrenched power imbalances can silence victims and highlights the responsibility of employers and institutions to create environments where complaints can be lodged safely and without fear of retaliation.
Sexual harassment does not exist in isolation.
It is part of a scale of violence that includes gender based violence, workplace aggression, and broader societal abuse.
Allowing harassment to persist normalises coercion and intimidation, eroding trust and perpetuating cycles of violence.
Rooting it out in the workplace is therefore not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative.
Martlé Keyter, CEO of Operations at MISA, reinforced this message: “Workplaces must be safe spaces where dignity is protected.
“Employers cannot afford to be complacent — they must adopt clear policies, train their staff, and act decisively when complaints arise.
“MISA stands firmly with victims and will continue to advocate for workplaces free of harassment and intimidation.”
The latest MISA TV episode can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhw6xXoCbdk
