Cyril Ramaphosa Praises Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma for Speaking Out Against GBV

• President Cyril Ramaphosa named Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma during his national address on Tuesday, 29 September
• Ramaphosa challenged South African men to confront abusive behaviour in homes, workplaces, and community spaces
• Sports broadcaster Robert Marawa sparked an online debate with a post about the President's address that he later clarified

President Cyril Ramaphosa used his national address on Tuesday, 29 September, to single out Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma for their public stance against gender-based violence.

Ramaphosa praised both sporting figures by name, saying their willingness to use their platforms to encourage men to tackle violence against women deserved recognition.

"We salute the many South African men, and there are many, who are already speaking out, including prominent figures such as Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma," the President said.

Cyril Ramaphosa's call to SA men

While acknowledging the two captains, Ramaphosa was clear that the responsibility for changing behaviour could not rest with prominent personalities alone. He said the message needed to permeate everyday spaces, including homes, workplaces, sports clubs, universities, places of worship, taxis, shebeens, taverns and family gatherings.

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Robert Marawa’s Ramaphosa question sparks debate after GBVF address

The President also pushed back against narratives that shift blame onto women, stating that responsibility for violence belongs solely to the person who commits it. He said no rejection or relationship breakdown could ever justify violence.

The address came amid heightened concern over gender-based violence following the discovery of 11 women's bodies in Ekurhuleni since July. Ramaphosa acknowledged that the government's response had fallen short and announced measures targeting unresolved cases, forensic backlogs and safety risks in municipalities.

Marawa post fuels online debate

Hours after the address, sports broadcaster Robert Marawa drew attention on social media when he posted on X asking whether "the chap" had said anything of substance, adding that he had missed the speech.

Some users read the post as a veiled criticism of the President and pushed back sharply, with one accusing Marawa of being irresponsible and another questioning why he referred to Ramaphosa in those terms.

By naming Kolisi and Bavuma in his address, Ramaphosa placed sport and the influence of national sporting figures at the centre of the broader conversation about how men can challenge gender-based violence in South Africa.

Source: Briefly News