Ramaphosa urges men to help women 'to succeed and to prosper'
As the country marks Women's Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the ongoing struggles women face, including gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the National Women’s Day commemoration in Tzaneen, Limpopo on 9 August 2025. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned men who abuse women, saying that real men do not rape or beat women.
Speaking at the National Women’s Day commemoration in Tzaneen, Limpopo, the president honoured the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest apartheid-era pass laws.
As the country marks Women's Day, Ramaphosa highlighted the ongoing struggles women face, including gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
He also called on men across the country to support, uplift, and protect women.
"So, we want the men of our country, of South Africa, to respect our women, to support our women, to uplift our women, to ensure that the women of South Africa succeed. Don't compete with women, help them to succeed and to prosper. Then, if you do all that, as a man, you will be a real man."