We are deeply saddened to share the passing of one of our original core members, Nomonde Mihlali (Mickey Meji). A fearless South African activist who channeled her strength to build a powerful voice for survivors. She connected the brutal legacy of apartheid and stark inequality in her community to the exploitation and brutality of the prostitution system, rejecting the normalization of sexual exploitation. She herself bore the brunt of South Africa’s harsh inequality and patriarchal violence and became a force for change not only in her community but globally. She transformed her own personal trauma into collective power, she was a leading voice in our fight to end systems of prostitution. Mickey spent many years traveling throughout the world with other survivor activists, changing how we think about prostitution. She advocated locally and globally for legislative and policy change that shifted attention to the buyers who continuously fuel what is a growing sex trade that impacts the most vulnerable women and girls everywhere around the world.

Losing a respected member of SPACE Intl., a champion advocate, is a profound loss to the survivor community, leaving a deep void in leadership and support.  Her dedication to justice, equity and the empowerment of survivor women in South Africa leaves behind an enduring legacy of courage that will continue to inspire generations to come.

 She will not only be missed by her three children but the countless number of people worldwide that she inspired through her brilliance, kindness and grace.  As SPACE Intl, we will honor her memory by continuing our tireless fight to grow as a movement and we will commit to carrying on her legacy through legislative action to eventually eradicate the sex trade. Although she is gone, she will never truly leave us, she will live on in every victory we can win from this day on.