Katleho Healing Centre : an architectural strategy for the design integration of Traditional and Modern Healing for GBV survivors through food production in the city of Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and pervasive issue in South Africa, affecting nearly every aspect of life. It is systemic and deeply entrenched in the country’s institutions, cultures, and traditions. Historically, women’s roles in society have shifted dramatically—from being complementary in pre-historic times to becoming patriarchal and limiting in post-apartheid South Africa. This patriarchal society, especially prevalent in disadvantaged areas, has created environments that are unsafe, unjust, and lacking in opportunities for growth. The focus of this project is on the rehabilitation of survivors of GBV.

Western approaches to healing typically follow an egocentric perspective, viewing trauma as a mental issue and relying heavily on scientific methods. This often marginalizes generational indigenous knowledge, offering a one-size-fits-all solution to psychological suffering that is widely adopted across the world. In contrast, the traditional African worldview emphasizes culture and socio-centric perspectives, seeing individuals as part of a larger whole. In this view, the community shapes and supports the individual, with any personal pain and stress perceived as communal problems. This creates networks of social relationships that foster self-worth, self-control, a sense of belonging, and security.

Research on current shelters for abused women in South Africa reveals a predominant focus on Western trauma healing methods, neglecting the crucial cultural and communal aspects of traditional methods. This gap highlights the need for integrated approaches that harness culture and community for healing, aiding survivors in reintegrating into society and empowering them to gain independence.

This project proposes a facility for medium to long-term healing, integrated into the urban fabric of Pretoria. It aims to channel the healing power of space and time, focusing on three main components of post-trauma healing: Self (adapting cognition), Others (improving coping style) and World (facilitating social support). To facilitate these stages of healing, the project utilises the food production process as a framework, drawing parallels between healing and the stages of production, post-production, and consumption. This approach becomes the core programmatic strategy of the proposal. The facility champions fundamental symbolic aspects of traditional healing as a touchstone.

Situating the project in the heart of Pretoria allows it to integrate into the existing systems and eliminates physical barriers that women face when seeking help, such as location and lack of transport. The urban vision addresses two dominant issues in Pretoria CBD: oversized city blocks and vehicular dominance. The project acts as a prototype for a pedestrianised city by puncturing current city blocks and redefining latent spaces through a network of systems centred around education, food, and green public spaces.