Casket-bearing protestors demand immediate action over mere words

Hundreds of  demonstrators from all walks of life and every spectrum of sexuality took their frustration over the poor implementation of the country’s laws against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) to the Union Buildings, demanding urgent action to address the scourge that has devastating impact to the well-being of families, communities and the country at large.

The demonstration, which was organised and led by non-profit organisation, Women For Change, handed a petition signed by approximately 150 000 people to Presidency officials – demanding that the government declares the ‘pounding headache’ a state of emergency.

According to statistics, seven women are killed in the country each day, and nearly six in 10 of such murders are at the hand of a husband, boyfriend or lover. In the last quarter of 2023 alone, more than 12 200 rapes were reported to the police.

In a bid to highlight the gravity of the situation and the pain women and children have experienced at the hands of their assailants, Women For Change explosively brought out a hearse – carrying a casket.

It was covered in countless purple and white beads, which the organisation says represent every woman and child who is now dead due to GBV and Femicide in the country.

Women For Change says while South Africa has relevant systems to rid society of the scourge – action is what lacks.

It adds that it has grown tired of hearing government’s recital of empty promises to take better care of its people, and would rather see them in action, now.

“We’ve heard the stories. We have systems in play but there is a lack of implementation, there is a lack of pressure, there is a lack of consistency as well. Our intentions are this: it’s not sudden, we started this petition, yes! But this has been our fight for almost ten years doing our best to create awareness, and educating society about GBVF. This is a pandemic that none of us can overlook,” says Women For Change Spokesperson, Bolela Adonis.

She accuses the country’s leaders of missing in action when it matters and says they only show face when it suits them.

Adonis believes that while South Africa has commendable legislation in place, the country still feels like a haven for predators.

Media personality and mother of two, Denise Zimba, was also at the Union Buildings, supporting the  Women For Change’s call.

Zimba, who recently lost a custody battle of her two daughters to her overseas-based ex-husband, says while she also advocates for an end to the abuse of women and children, her presence at the march was also necessitated by the NPO’s unwavering support to her during her heart-wrenching ordeal.

“Through my experience – and I can only speak for myself in this regard – there is an underlying sense of injustice towards women, children and the protection of the youth. Because of that, I felt like I needed to stand and demonstrate that in diversity, struggle, and the justice that may occur and happen to one, in standing your ground. It’s a form of showing your strength and resilience and knowing that you are not a loser,” says Zimba.

Zimba says she stands confidently against, not only the plight faced by women and children, but also for any individual who has found themselves in an inferior position, where they are undermined and overlooked.

The atmosphere was buzzing at the Union Buildings lawns with artists and poets in one tune, speaking against GBVF.

Harmony Heaven Choir was among some of the artists there, who also believe that enough has been said about the crisis and now is time for decisive action.

One member of the choir, Sifiso Makhathi, says music needs to be used to fight injustice in the country, adding that musicians’ voices have the power to influence people’s behaviour.

A reason, why he says, they decided to join the march and use the power of music to add to the cry of those who have had enough of the deeply ingrained brutality against women and children.

“I think the stats are not lying. It’s pretty sad to see what our nation has become. The song we actually prepared today is “Madoda Sabelani.” We are calling everyone to stand against Gender Bssed Violence and Femicide. We want justice for all the victims of this disease that our nation is actually facing. As people in music, we want to use our voices to say: enough is enough. Let us unite to stop GBV,” elaborates Makhathini.

Outgoing Miss SA, Mia LeRoux, says every voice in support of the fight against GBV is important as it adds significantly to the strength of the call for the eradication of the scourge.

LeRoux says too many women and children are suffering due to injustice in the country, and feels that it is important for her to add her voice in support of the NPO’s petition.

“I think every voice that is speaking to this problem is another voice that is helping make our collective voices even louder. It shows solidarity and that we are here together to stand up for women. We are fighting for our rights. We are asking to be seen. Every woman and child deserves to feel safe. As the common adage goes: An ocean is made of many drops,” says Le Roux.

She was elated over the huge turnout at the Union Buildings, where hundreds of South Africans demanded that their call for a safer country be heard.

Presidency officials have acknowledged the frustration of South Africans.

The Deputy Minister for Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, received the petition on behalf of the Presidency’s office.

While at first the demonstrators were not so welcoming of his presence, interjecting in many instances while he tried to make his statement at the podium, he was finally allowed to make his point.

Letsike revealed that he is also a GBV survivor and therefore fully understands the demonstrators’ concern.

He promised that they will make all relevant departments aware of the group’s urgent call, saying they plan to respond accordingly.

He has not indicated an exact time frame of how long it would take them to do so, however, he did assure the fed-up anti-abuse activists that government will heed to their calls. Written by Odirile Rabolao