KZN communities unite for Women For Change shutdown against GBV
Dozens of people took part in the GBV shutdown demonstration at the Durban beachfront on Friday.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Dozens of people across KwaZulu-Natal took part in the Women For Change G20 Shutdown on Friday, joining the national call to pause daily activity in protest against the ongoing crisis of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
The day saw communities, institutions, and civic groups across the province stepping forward to demonstrate solidarity with survivors and to honour the women who have lost their lives to violence.
In Durban, scores of people gathered at Point, Durban, where participants lay down silently for 15 minutes as part of the national shutdown.
One of the coordinators of the demonstration, Dr Dineo Sefokolo, said the strong turnout reflected the urgency felt by communities.
“The gathering allowed those affected by GBV to stand together and express dissatisfaction with the state of safety in the country.”
Participants laid down silently for 15 minutes as part of the national GBV shutdown.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
She added that participants continued with the shutdown to reinforce their call for meaningful, practical change following the President’s recognition of GBV as a national crisis at the G20 proceedings.
Dr Sefokolo said the silent lie-down symbolised the exhaustion of continually speaking out without visible change and expressed concern about the limited participation from men, saying their absence remained hurtful. She hoped that increasing mobilisation would encourage stronger male involvement in future efforts to combat GBV.
In the uMngeni Municipality, Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi and Council Speaker Janis Holmes joined a Gender-Based Violence Awareness Peaceful March organised by 21-year-old KwaMevana resident, Nthabiseng Thela.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal also participated in the national shutdown.
Image: UKZN / Facebook
The march began at the Howick Police Station and included a one-minute silent lie-down outside the Howick Magistrate’s Court in honour of victims and survivors. Municipal Law Enforcement and SAPS officers accompanied the march. The municipality reiterated its stance against gender-based violence, saying “Sewkanele.”
The University of KwaZulu-Natal also participated in the shutdown, calling on staff and students to stand in solidarity with the national movement. The institution emphasised that the estimated 15 women who lose their lives to violence each day in South Africa highlight an urgent need for collective action.
UKZN said it was an institution committed to social justice and human dignity and encouraged its community to pause, reflect, and honour the lives lost to GBV while reaffirming their commitment to building a safer society.
A GBV awareness campaign was also head outside the SAPS provincial headquarters in Durban.
Image: Facebook
At the Durban University of Technology, students and staff gathered outside the library on the Steve Biko Campus, dressed in black as part of a coordinated standstill. DUT highlighted the country’s alarming daily death toll of women affected by GBV and urged the campus community to remember those lost and support survivors. Participants stood still for 15 minutes from 12:00, while others unable to reach campus joined the commemoration from their respective locations.
At the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS provincial headquarters, the Women’s Network and the Employee Health and Wellness unit held a morning awareness campaign at the entrance of the building.
With the message “Even policewomen can be victims of GBV,” the initiative stressed that abuse cuts across sectors, ranks, and professions, and encouraged members of the service to recognise GBV as a reality affecting many women in uniform.
A march was held in the Newcastle CBD.
Image: Facebook
In Newcastle, a youth-led community movement brought together NPOs, NGOs, councillors, and local residents in a march along Allen Street. Participants called for women’s rights, gender equality, and stronger awareness of GBV.
Councillor Vangile Molefe, chairperson of the Women’s Multi Party Caucus in Newcastle Municipality, said the community had taken a decisive stand “not in fear, but in unity and conviction,” adding that a society cannot call itself caring while women and children continue to suffer.
Across the province, the shutdown was observed as a day to “paint South Africa purple and black” in remembrance of victims and in solidarity with survivors.