Six years after Uyinene’s murder, call for urgent action to fight GBV intensifies

CAPE TOWN - It’s been six years since the brutal murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana and South Africans are still calling for urgent action in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.

On Saturday morning, students and parents marched to Parliament in Uyinene’s memory, and in honour of those who’ve lost their lives to GBV.

The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation is calling for young boys and men to play a central role in shifting attitudes towards women.

Scores of students, parents, and young boys in uniform marched from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)’s District Six campus to Parliament, chanting and singing in memory of Uyinene Mrwetyana and others lost to GBV.

University of Cape Town (UCT)’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Transformation, Professor Elelwani Ramugondo, says violence against women continues to be used as a weapon of war.

“The memory of Uyinene and others will not be vanquished. Their memories live on in us. Their fight for justice lives on, and we should help them to bring an end to this gate.”

The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation, which led the march, believes it’ critical for boys and men to be included in conversations and spaces that promote the protection of women.

UCT Student Representative Council (SRC) President Thando Lukhele said real change begins by recognising GBV survivors as people, not just statistics.

“Langa for Men creates a group of young boys and educates them about gender-based violence, educates them on why it's important for them not to find themselves engaging in what we call rape culture.”

Lukhele added that government should prioritise GBV with the same urgency it gives to the national budget.