'Call out your brothers': Demonstrators demand action from South African men

A powerful call echoed through Rockville, Soweto, as demonstrators at the Good Men Foundation march urged the country’s men to put down their fists and start uplifting the women.

The march, supported by traditional leaders and several men’s organisations, called on men to take responsibility for the country’s GBVF epidemic and to actively challenge abusive behaviour among their peers.

According to statistics, 15 women are killed every day in South Africa.

Demonstrator Zukisani Mxoli cautioned men that by allowing violence against women to continue, they were contributing to the destruction of the nation.

"If we kill our women who build and make the nation, it’s over for the nation and us at large," he said.

His Majesty King Misizulu kaZwelithini was expected to lead the march but could not attend due to conflicting schedules.

The sizeable crowd present at Elka Stadium in Rockville, Soweto, went through the streets of the community and demonstrated in unity.

Chairperson of Amatyma Wellness Network, TT Mbah, stressed that men needed tocall each other out when they saw their brothers abusing women.

"Every 63 seconds, a woman or child is a victim of gender-based violence and femicide, and the perpetrators are men. So, we need to talk as men and call each other out," he said.

The women present at the march told EWN that they were a bit disheartened with the low turnout of men, citing that these campaigns were usually attended by victims and not men.

They added that men need to show up more to be able to curb this ongoing scourge of gender-based violence in the country.