South African men are being urged to step forward and accept their role in ending the scourge of gender-based violence, as traditional leadership, provincial government and civil society unite behind a landmark march scheduled for later this month.
The GoodMen Foundation has announced that His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi will lead the Men Unite Against GBVF March at Elka Stadium in Soweto on Thursday, November 27, marking what organisers describe as a pivotal moment in the national struggle against violence targeting women and children.
The announcement comes as South Africa continues to grapple with alarming statistics: a woman is murdered every three hours in the country, while one in five women will experience sexual violence during their lifetime.
“Our nation cannot heal while violence continues to tear families apart,” King Misuzulu said in a statement. “This is a defining moment for men to rise with courage and integrity. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with women, safeguard our children, and rebuild the moral fibre that defines us as a people.”
The march, set to begin at 9:00 AM, follows the Women for Change National Initiative on 21 November, creating a coordinated national response to the GBVF crisis that has drawn support from across South African society.
‘Silence is complicity’
Smangaye Xaba, founder and CEO of the GoodMen Foundation, issued a direct challenge to South African men, arguing that neutrality is no longer acceptable.
“Men can no longer hide behind the phrase ‘not all men’,” Xaba said.
“Silence and inaction are forms of complicity. Through this march, we call on men to challenge harmful behaviour, hold each other accountable, and model a new standard for our young boys. Change starts with us.”
The non-profit organisation, which promotes respect, accountability and non-violence among men and boys, has positioned the march as more than a single-day event, describing it instead as “a moral awakening” intended to shift national attitudes and behaviours.
Hundreds are expected to gather at the Soweto venue, with the Foundation calling on civil society organisations, faith communities, schools and community structures to mobilise their members.
Three-point action plan
Organisers have outlined clear objectives for the march: driving stronger community leadership on GBVF issues, inspiring behavioural transformation among men, and reaffirming men’s responsibility in protecting and uplifting women and children.
The GoodMen Foundation is urging support for GBVF prevention programs, mentorship pathways for young men, and sustained community engagement initiatives beyond the march itself.The march begins at 9:00 AM on 27 November at Elka Stadium in Soweto.
