“So Beautifully Sung”: Performer Delivers Emotional Song Calling on Men To Stop GBV, SA Moved

• South African performer Justin Zulu shared a soulful isiXhosa song urging men to stand against gender-based violence
• The song's translated lyrics speak of women disappearing and dying, with a direct plea for men to take responsibility
• Viewers were moved to tears by the performance, with many saying it put faces to the women South Africa has lost

A young South African performer has moved thousands with a heartfelt musical plea for men to rise against gender-based violence. Justin Zulu, a performer and songwriter, posted the video on his Instagram account @justin_zulu_ on 28 September 2026, singing a soulful rendition of "Madoda Sabelani" in isiXhosa.

The song's on-screen translations cut straight to the heart of the crisis: "Hee Madoda Sabelani" (Men, heed the call), "Hee Madoda ngqandani" (Men, put a stop to this), "Yiyo lengozi" (This is the danger), and "Bayaphel' abafazi" (Women are disappearing/dying).

A cry for accountability

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Justin's delivery was quiet but devastating. His sombre tone and the weight of the lyrics carried a message that needed no further explanation: women in South Africa are in danger, and men must do something about it.

Gender-based violence remains one of South Africa's most urgent crises. The country consistently records some of the highest rates of femicide in the world, and the call for men to be part of the solution has grown louder in recent years.

Watch Justin Zulu's moving performance in the Instagram reel below:

Mzansi responds with tears and praise

The performance struck a deep nerve with viewers, many of whom said it brought real faces to the tragedy.

@lucillem298403 shared:

"Every time I hear this, I cry and see the faces of those who have been taken. And the little girl speaking at her mom's funeral. This has to stop."

@werna777 wrote:

"Oh my word, so beautifully sung, Justin. Goosebump ❤️❤️"

@shirley.vandermerwe.7 said:

"Thanks for adding your voice to this call."

@secondtime_lucky_woman reflected:

"I think we are the only country that has this sad anthem for fallen women."

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@pretty_kylie.29 added:

"Your voice 🔥"

@jozie_1985 reacted:

"Took my breath away 🍑💜"

3 Briefly News articles addressing GBV

• Rachel Kolisi highlighted the sobering reality of South Africa's gender-based violence crisis during a panel discussion, urging men to break their silence and take responsibility in fighting femicide.
• A young woman from North West tearfully confronted the police officers in Ikageng over their failure to deliver justice to gender-based violence victims and revealed how police victim-blamed her when she reported a rape case.
• A KwaZulu-Natal teacher led his learners in a moving song against gender-based violence, touching the hearts of many social media users.

Source: Briefly News