Men participated in a march and demonstration in Durban the day before, calling on the government to take immediate measures to stop gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
In addition to demands to combat GBVF, the demonstrators put forward several other requests, including the need to tighten border control, reserve informal economy spaces in settlements for South Africans, reform the Road Accident Fund Act, and increase security levels in high-risk areas.
Political parties such as ActionSA, MK Party, and IFP were among the participants in the event.
On Tuesday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced four immediate measures in response to the GBVF issue: conducting a national audit to restore cases and recovery plans for protracted cases under the leadership of the Ministers of Police and Justice; funding a 60-day plan to address backlogs in forensic examination and allocating priority samples; carrying out municipal safety checks within 60 days to eliminate environmental threats alongside strengthening compliance with alcohol sales laws; and submitting a coordinated legislative package within 60 days to reduce alcohol-related violence.
These steps were taken following a recent surge in GBVF cases, which was predominantly observed in Gauteng, after 11 women's bodies were discovered in Ekurhuleni since July.
Jacinta Ngobeze-Zuma, leader of 'March and March', demanded more decisive action against gender-based violence and femicide during the march through the streets of Durban.
Kholani Zuma, Executive Director of SA First Forum, noted that this action differs from previous ones, but the problems remain the same. He stated that the serious issue lies in the hope that the government will provide an immediate solution to these murders.
Zuma emphasized that men must lead this march because the problem is not limited only to men who kill women, but is a societal issue. He urged the government to stop treating incidents involving the killing of women as mere 'events,' insisting on the necessity of practical programs to combat the killing of women and children in the country.
Furthermore, Zuma announced that they are ceasing negotiations and initiating legal battles to force the government to make legislative changes. Specifically, they demand the establishment of strict limits on the number of refugees and the removal of all illegal immigrants within two years.
Commenting on Ramaphosa's speech, Zuma expressed doubt about the existence of substantial practical solutions in the president's four stated plans.
Zwanele Mncwango, ActionSA leader in KZN and mayoral candidate, supported the march, stating that it aligns with their call of 'Enough'. He insisted that the daily killing of women must stop, and physical and emotional abuse by men must be eliminated.
Mncwango noted that it is illogical for only women to complain about GBV. He stressed that men must openly declare their position, as some of them are perpetrators, and they may be friends or relatives of the victims. He believes that such a public gathering sends a very strong signal.
He added that men are raised with respect for women and children, not with the idea of using them as targets. Mncwango concluded that no excuse can justify the killing of women, and that when relationship problems arise, one should separate rather than resort to violence, as conflict itself never justifies murder.