Men in South Africa step up to curb violence against women

Sat Oct 03 2026 04:08:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

South African men rally to confront gender‑based violence as a new femicide wave raises alarm.

In Johannesburg’s Organic Market, men led by Father A Nation are confronting the rising femicide crisis. 569 women were murdered between April and June, raising national alarm. The group encourages men to adopt positive masculinity and recognise their responsibility. President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised enhanced street lighting and case reviews, but activists say more is needed. The movement offers hope and a call to action for communities across South Africa.

Men in South Africa step up to curb violence against women

In Johannesburg’s winding Organic Market, a group of men quietly gather to fight a rising tide of femicide that has rattled the nation.

“I witness men hitting women all the time,” says 30‑year‑old Kgomotso Mathekga, who admits to slapping his girlfriend during a drunken quarrel. He now feels guilty for losing his child.

The circle, run by the non‑profit Father A Nation, calls for men to recognise their role in the crisis. “We must restore dignity to the men around here,” Bra Steve—its local organiser—urges.

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged that the state has fallen short. 2024 has seen 569 women murdered between April and June, an average of six victims a day, according to the Human Rights Commission.

Survivors, like Providence Maseko, now rely on e‑taxis for safety after the discovery of 12 bodies in Ekurhuleni. Women in the settlement speak of “fear when a car passes” and of the need for safer streets.

Father A Nation’s workshops combine conversation, counselling and training on positive masculinity. As Zizipho Mtwesi, the project coordinator, says, “Each man must play his part if we ever want to stop gender‑based violence.”

Despite measures such as better street lighting and a review of unsolved cases, critics argue the response is too little, too late. As the violence continues, these grassroots groups become the crucial front line.