During Heritage Day, hundreds of participants, dressed in black and purple, joined the 'Revolutionary Solidarity One Billion' march in South Africa to protest gender-based violence. Over 2,500 women, men, and children turned this day into a demonstration by marching around Princess Vlei along the M5 highway with activist Lucinda Evans.
Participants protested femicide and gender-based violence (GBV), stating that there were few reasons to celebrate the country's cultural heritage while women continued to suffer violence, rape, and murder across South Africa.
Marchers Demand Action Against Gender Violence
Families, activists, community members, and survivors marched together, predominantly in black and purple, with a unified message: the killing and violence against women must not become the norm. Lucinda Evans noted that such a large turnout demonstrates the strength that arises when communities unite against violence.
She emphasized: 'This is proof that there is strength and unity when women come together to speak with one voice. It is time to take back what is ours. Enough is enough.' Evans also expressed respect for survivors of sexual violence and GBV, assuring them they would not be forgotten.
Women Call for an End to Fear and Violence
For many participants, the symbolism of protesting on Heritage Day was intentional. Participant Hayley Langley stated: 'The sad reality is that femicide and gender-based violence have become the legacy of our women in this country.' She added that action is necessary because the government is inactive, forcing women to rely solely on their voices.
This march takes place against the backdrop of South Africa continuing to face extremely high levels of violence against women. Parliament previously indicated that the femicide rate in South Africa is about nine women per 100,000 people, which is approximately five times the global average. Police data was also cited showing that 957 women were killed between July and September 2024. A study by the South African Medical Research Council showed that about three women die daily at the hands of intimate partners.
Langley noted that women are increasingly refusing to live in fear. She believes the situation in the country has changed, and women no longer wish to be afraid. 'We want to be a little angry so we can change the situation and fight this pandemic in our country. Too many women have fallen, and we must all use our voices if we have nothing else.'
Men Are Called to Help End Gender Violence
Men also joined the march. Evans stressed that the fight against GBV cannot exclude those willing to support women. She thanked the men present, noting that they can stand up for women. She called for creating space for men to participate in solving serious problems.
David Buyssen said he decided to participate because men need to confront violence against women and challenge each other. He stated: 'Men must end what they do, their violent thoughts about women. Women are human beings just like us.' Buyssen also noted that men who witness violence have a responsibility to intervene rather than stand by. 'We must do something. We must act when we see something happening to our children and our women, especially domestic violence. We must not be silent.'
Bernie Gallant, who joined the march with members of the biker club Elusive Ryderz, said that charity and community involvement are part of the club's identity, and confronting gender-based violence is part of this responsibility. Gallant reported that the bikers brought children so they could learn about civic responsibility and fighting violence from an early age. He explained that children must see what the community does and understand what it stands for. 'If we don't teach them at this age, they won't know it.'
Earlier this year, gender-based violence and femicide were classified as a national disaster, after which parliamentary committees demanded greater clarity on the funding and implementation of crisis response measures. For those who marched around Princess Vlei, the demand was not just promises, but real action.
