Salvation Army shifts GBV response from outrage to action
The Salvation Army, through A Re Bolele Motswadi initiative, is equipping fathers with non-violent parenting tools and rallying community support to tackle violence in Alexandra.
When gender-based violence tragedies occur, social media often erupts with calls for justice.
These posts, while highlighting public support and the grim reality of GBV, rarely prevent similar events from recurring. Recognising this gap, the Salvation Army is taking a proactive stance through its A Re Bolele Motswadi initiative, starting with dialogue and community engagement.
Read more: Region E Men’s Parliament to tackle mental health issues and GBV
Speaking on the sidelines of the recent man-to-man session hosted in Alexandra on September 19, Salvation Army Gender Justice Coordinator, Vusi Malala, expressed concern that GBV responses were often reactive, triggered only after tragedy strikes. “These sessions are a means to an end to that. They’re about being proactive in addressing the scourge of GBV and equipping parents with the skills to raise children positively.”
The session focused on engaging fathers directly, equipping them with positive parenting tools, especially non-violent approaches to raising children. “We are trying to address the root causes of GBV, rather than responding to incidents. Too often, people only act when there is a body, and everybody goes to social media,” Malala added.
Also read: Youth event breaks GBV silence in Alexandra
Beyond domestic settings, the initiative also addresses violence in public spaces, including schools, where discipline challenges mirror broader societal issues. The Salvation Army’s programme includes a dedicated focus on schoolchildren, promoting non-violence and tackling discipline. But Malala stressed that lasting change requires community ownership. “We don’t know all the children, but when we work with the community, especially affected parents, we can make a real difference.”
Malala said parents were already stepping up. Some have proposed assisting school security personnel with stop-and-search efforts to curb violence. “In one school, there have been two stabbing incidents among learners. We are trying to prevent that,” Malala said.
By working with parents, educators, and community leaders, the initiative aims to build a culture of safety and accountability.
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