South African Men Rally to Combat Gender-Based Violence After Ekurhuleni Killings

Amid renewed national outrage over a spate of femicides in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg, a group of men in the Organic Market informal settlement are taking direct action to address South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis. The meeting, facilitated by the non-profit Father A Nation, brings men together to discuss accountability, positive masculinity, and the urgent need for behavioral change.

Kgomotso Mathekga, a 30-year-old attendee, spoke candidly about his own past actions and the environment that fuels violence. “I witness men hitting women all the time, especially when they are both drunk,” Mathekga admitted, revealing that he once slapped his girlfriend during an argument. Reflecting on the consequences, including the loss of contact with his child, he expressed regret for contributing to societal problems rather than embodying the gentleman he aspires to be.

The gathering takes place in a narrow street characterized by corrugated metal shacks and unpaved roads. At a nearby tavern, Itumeleng Stephen Tamaga, known locally as Bra Steve, leads the group in a circle. Raising his fist, he declares, “We are men!” and calls on attendees to stand together against femicide. As the local organizer for Father A Nation, Tamaga argues that helping men understand their role is essential to resolving the crisis. “We are a lost generation,” he stated. “We must restore dignity to the men around here.”

The urgency of these grassroots efforts is underscored by recent statistics and high-profile crimes. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the government has fallen short in protecting women and has announced new measures, such as improved street lighting and a review of unsolved cases. However, critics like Zizipho Mtwesi, the project coordinator for Father A Nation, argue these steps are insufficient. “Why do we have to wait for this to happen for us to act?” Mtwesi asked, gesturing to the meeting. “We are trying to reach men before things like these murders happen again.”

Data from the South African Human Rights Commission highlights the scale of the violence: between April and June alone, 569 women were killed, averaging six deaths per day, with over 1,000 others surviving attempted murder. A 2022 report by the Human Sciences Research Council found that more than 35% of South African women have experienced physical or sexual violence, often at the hands of intimate partners. South Africa’s overall murder rate remains among the highest globally, with 5,427 homicides recorded in the same quarter.

Craig Wilkinson, the founder of Father A Nation, emphasizes a two-phase approach: first allowing men to process their emotions, and second, training them in positive masculinity. “You choose what kind of man you want to be. Women need to be safe,” Wilkinson told the group. The organization operates across the country, running programs in dozens of schools and colleges.

For residents like Linkie, who was heard cleaning clothes in a metal bucket outside her shack, fear remains a daily reality. “We are not safe when we are outside our place,” she said. “We are afraid when we see a car behind us when we walk.” Another local, Providence Maseko, expressed skepticism, telling Bra Steve, “Safety here is very bad. Maybe you are the serial killer. How do I know who to trust?” Maseko now relies on e-hailing taxis for transportation to avoid walking alone.

While police have not ruled out links between some of the Ekurhuleni deaths, they have not confirmed an active serial killer investigation. Nevertheless, the mystery surrounding the killings has intensified community anxiety. As the meeting concluded, Mathekga praised the initiative, noting the absence of male role models in many neighborhoods. “Our fathers and our uncles, they are there in prison. We must now become role models and help make this country better,” he said. Mtwesi reinforced this sentiment, urging every man to consider how he would want his own daughter or mother to be treated, and to ensure that those standards are applied to the wives and girlfriends of others.