-Staff Writer | Fri, 21 Nov 2025
Hundreds of women across South Africa took to the streets on Friday, 21 November 2025, as part of nationwide demonstrations highlighting the ongoing scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
Wearing black and purple in solidarity, participants, including young people, elderly women, and male allies, marched through major cities and towns demanding urgent action. In central South Africa, large groups gathered in areas such as Klerksdorp in Matlosana, North West and Bloemfontein in Mangaung, Free State.
The demonstrations were fuelled by alarming research findings on GBV in the country. Studies show that one in three women, approximately 7.3 million, has experienced physical violence in her lifetime. Some research suggests that as many as 40% of women have endured physical and/or sexual violence. Further studies indicate that nearly 10% of women, about 2.1 million, have been victims of sexual violence. South Africa’s femicide rate remains five times higher than the global average.
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared GBV a national crisis requiring urgent and extraordinary intervention.
“We need to take extraordinary and concerted action, using every means at our disposal, to end this crisis,” he said. “No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continue.”
Women-led movements that have long campaigned for the government to declare GBV a national disaster welcomed Ramaphosa’s remarks but stressed that more tangible action is needed.
“As world leaders arrive for the G20, the women of South Africa welcome them with a truth our government can no longer bury,” Women for Change said, pointing to their petition of one million signatures calling for a national disaster declaration.
Central South Africa has recently witnessed a rise in violent crimes against women. In 2023, Heilbron Acting Regional Court official Mamello Thamae (40) was allegedly murdered by her husband, Lehlohonolo Makotoane (40), who later fled to Lesotho before being extradited to South Africa.
This month, 21-year-old Keamogetswe Mabe appeared in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court for a bail application after being charged with arson and murder. He was arrested on 16 November 2025 after allegedly killing his girlfriend, 21-year-old Reabetswe Ntheledi, and setting their shack alight with her body inside.
Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said Mabe was traced and arrested with assistance from his employer. The motive remains unclear but is believed to have followed a domestic dispute.
Meanwhile, the ANC Women’s League has welcomed President Ramaphosa’s declaration, calling it a necessary step as the country hosts the G20 World Summit in Johannesburg.
News Junction (Gold Standard)