The seventh Lowveld Walkers Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Awareness Walk brought the community together on Saturday, November 22. They gathered at Emkhatsini Sasol Garage, then walked to Croc Valley and back. The route included 6km, 12km, 17km and 21km options.

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According to club founder Joseph Mashaba, the event was a great success. He said they had speakers who educated the participants about the dangers of GBVF.

“On the day, some people started sharing their experiences while others asked for assistance. It was great to see that the walk is making an impact, and to see men standing up against GBVF.”

Nomalanga Ngwenya, the project manager of Sonke Gender Justice in Mpumalanga, emphasised that the fight against GBVF belongs to everyone and urged the public to listen to and believe survivors. “Be an active bystander, report cases of abuse and violence and refer victims to someone knowledgeable or a professional,” she advised.

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Ngwenya urged people not to cover up for, or protect, perpetrators. “Money and make-up won’t heal or end the cycle,” she said.