Dressed in black and united by a common cause, hundreds of community members, church leaders and local organisations took to the streets demanding stronger action against gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.

They walked the streets of Mbombela, singing and praying.

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“Firstly, on behalf of the Mpumalanga provincial government and the premier, we are excited and encouraged by the community’s response and its coming together to say no to gender-based violence,” said Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security, and liaison Jackie Macie.

He said the government has been calling on communities to work alongside the police and other security structures to fight violence, particularly against women and children.

“We are encouraged that various sectors, particularly the clergy, have managed to bring people together for this important cause,” he said. “This is a solid foundation because what we are witnessing reflects the moral state of our society. It is an indication that we need to rebuild and strengthen our moral value

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Macie emphasised that communities needed to reject all forms of violence and crime, adding that the fight against GBV required collective action.

Miss South Africa Top 19 finalist Ndiwanga Muravha also joined the march, calling for unity in addressing the impact of violence across the country. Muravha said they had gathered to stand together against gender-based violence, describing the crisis as a plague that harms everyone.

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Agnes Ndlovu travelled all the way from Emgwenya to Mbombela to join the prayer march. She raised concerns about elderly people whose pension money is allegedly stolen by relatives, highlighting the need to protect older people from exploitation.

Participants called for an end to the silence surrounding abuse, greater support for victims and stronger community involvement in preventing violence.