Potchefstroom comes together against GBV
At exactly 12:00, women, supported by some men, laid down for 15 minutes of silence to honour the 15 women killed every day in South Africa.
On Friday at noon on November 21, most of Potchefstroom came to a standstill as women, not only in Potchefstroom, but all across the country participated in the G20 Women’s shutdown against gender-based violence.
At exactly 12:00, women, supported by some men, laid down for 15 minutes of silence to honour the 15 women killed every day in South Africa.
Thousands of women in black and purple streamed into public places around South-Africa.
The G20 Women’s Shutdown was planned for the day before the G20 leaders’ summit opens in Johannesburg to capture global attention and put pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare gender-based violence a national disaster.
“Until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot speak of growth and progress. We demand that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide be declared a National Disaster. Not tomorrow. Not at another summit. Now,” the Women for change movement declared on social media.
In Potchefstroom, hundreds of students laid down in the middle of the street in Cachet Park on the Bult. On Friday night, they held a candle lit vigil to honour the lives lost to GBV.
On the North-West University campus, students participated in the shutdown as well. The campus was lit up in Purple on Friday night in support of the cause.
In Promosa, a March against GBV was held on Friday morning.
Glenville Boeda Fransman, a community leader, who participated the in march in Promosa, had previously urged men to become part of the movement.
“I would like to thank everyone that participated. GBV affects us all and demands attention. We must all get involved as a community to stop this problem in its tracks. No more waiting for the police, companies or the government. It is our responsibility.”
Leandro de Beer, manager of Cachet Park Improvement District, says the shutdown in Cachet Park went down smoothly and peacefully.
“I would like to personally thank the police, NWU- protection services and all other role-players involved in making this possible.”
Look at the pictures here:
