FirstRand Volunteers Move with Purpose in Sandton to combat gender-based violence and femicide
Over 100 women gathered in Sandton for the FirstRand activation that transformed physical movement into a united stand against GBVF.
The FirstRand Volunteers (FRV) initiative launched its Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Move IT Challenge: Move with Purpose, to unite employees in physical, emotional, and social action against GBVF.
Anchored in the call to Move with Purpose, the activation drew together staff members and communities for a day of navigating ways to tackle GBVF.
FirstRand Foundation head Kone Gugushe said: “This is more than just a wellness initiative; it is a profound act of solidarity.
The GBVF Move IT Challenge embodies our brand promise of action with purpose, and our commitment to increasing employee participation in volunteer initiatives.
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“By encouraging our people to give their time and skills, we are providing them the opportunity to make a real difference, and create a meaningful connection to the GBVF cause.”
The event formed part of FirstRand’s broader social justice commitment, and served as a prelude to the annual 16 days of activism against GBVF campaign, which begins on November 25.
Speaking at the activation, Gugushe emphasised the gravity of South Africa’s GBVF crisis, and the need for collective accountability. “South Africa is cited as the rape capital of the world. The most violent country in Africa. We cannot prosper as a society when our women and children are unsafe. Today we are activating a movement of GBVF supporters.
“Violence does not happen somewhere else; it happens in our homes, our workplaces, and sometimes to ourselves. It takes all of us – men, women, and communities – to stand up and say: No more.”
Gugushe also highlighted the work of FirstRand’s implementing partners in combating GBVF, including Memeza, the GBVF Response Fund, and the Nyamukara Foundation
One of the event’s focal points was the work of Memeza, a social innovation initiative that designs accessible safety tools linked to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Memeza’s personal pocket alarm, called the My Memeza CPA, was showcased as a discreet, portable safety device designed to deter attackers and alert responders through sound and light.
Memeza sales manager Gugu Khoza said: “We are at war every day, fighting against this pandemic. This is not just about tools; it’s about survival and empowerment. When you pull this lever, the sound disrupts an attacker’s control and draws attention. It interrupts their cycle of violence.”
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Her colleague, Thuli Mthethwa, executive director of Memeza, expanded on the deeper social issues underlying GBVF. “Patriarchy does not only limit women; it narrows what it means to be a man. When men are freed from the expectation to dominate, they can experience fuller, healthier lives. We are seeing small wins, women choosing themselves, legal reforms on consent, and more men joining the movement. We are moving ahead.”
FirstRand’s partnerships with key organisations amplify its impact in the GBVF response space. The foundation collaborates with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to support Thuthuzela Care Centres, works with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to give children a voice through advocacy, and supports the Fathers Matter programme, to promote positive masculinity and responsible fatherhood.
“These initiatives reflect our belief that it takes an ecosystem – men, women, institutions, and communities – to create lasting change. We refuse to be known as a country where our children and women live in fear.”
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