March and March Calls on Men to Lead Fight Against GBV and Femicide
- March and March protesters marched across several provinces against gender-based violence and femicide.
- The movement called on men to take the lead in the fight against violence against women.
- SA First Forum leader Xolani Zuma criticised government action and called for practical measures to protect women and children.
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SOUTH AFRICA - The March and March Movement has criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent address to the nation, describing it as a “tick-box” exercise as protesters took to the streets across South Africa.
The movement, joined by SA First Forum and various other organisations, organised demonstrations in several towns and provinces on Wednesday, calling for an end to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and stronger action to protect women.
The protests form part of the movement’s ongoing campaign against violence against women.
March and March wants action on GBVF
Speaking in KwaZulu-Natal, the SA First Forum leader, Xolani Zuma, said the movement was frustrated by what it described as a lack of practical action from government to address the killing of women and children.
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Zuma criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address, saying it amounted to little more than a “tick-box” exercise.
The movement had initially planned for Wednesday’s demonstrations to focus on undocumented immigration, following its nationwide protest on 30 June calling on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa voluntarily.
However, the focus shifted towards GBVF, with protesters calling for greater accountability and practical measures to protect women.
Men called to lead the fight
Zuma said men should take the frontline in the fight against GBVF, arguing that violence against women was a societal issue that required men to take responsibility.
“We took a decision that men must lead this march because it’s not only men that are causing problems when it comes to the killing of women, but it’s a societal issue,” he said.
He added that men had a responsibility to protect and support women.
“By their very nature, men are meant to protect us. Men are supposed to provide, to love,” Zuma said.
In Gauteng, protesters were expected to gather at Church Square in Tshwane at 9am before marching through the city centre and Sunnyside towards the Union Buildings.
The demonstrations were held in several areas as the movement continued its calls for stronger government action against GBVF.
SA women called on Jacinta to lead cause against GBV
Briefly News also reported that South African women called on activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma to take up their cause, with content creator Kamo Bombe leading the charge. On 16 September 2026, South African television presenter and entrepreneur Kamohelo ‘Kamo’ Bombe published an emotional open letter on Instagram addressed directly to the founder of the March and March movement, pleading for her to stand with women during one of the country's darkest periods.
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Source: Briefly News
