Latest news with #SonkeGenderJustice
eNCA
12-08-2025
- eNCA
Women and children under attack
JOHANNESBURG - Women and children are under siege, with cases of gender-based violence reported every day. READ: Women's Month | SA celebrates National Women's Day Last week, a four-year old died allegedly at the hands of her own father in Eldorado Park. Her mother faces charges of defeating the ends of justice and failing to report child abuse. Luke Lamprecht, head of advocacy at Women and Men Against Child Abuse; Patrick Godana, Eastern Cape manager at Sonke Gender Justice; and Javu Baloyi, spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality discussed the causes behind this scourge of violence.
IOL News
17-07-2025
- IOL News
Outrage over bail granted to convicted rapist sentenced to eight years
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been called the bail granted to a suspect who was sentenced to eight years in prison for rape. Image: Supplied The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been called to challenge the bail granted to a rapist who was convicted and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. Rights group Sonke Gender Justice said it was concerned about the convicted rapist, Lulama Elvis Ray Mpahla, receiving bail pending appeal four days after sentencing. Mpahla, an Eastern Cape-based traditional healer from Duncan Village, was arrested for raping a young woman in Kemption Park in 2021. The woman was an initiate under his spiritual mentorship Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Sonke Gender Justice co-executive director, Bafana Khumalo, said Mpahla lured the young woman into a hotel room ostensibly to talk to her about her training and a message from her ancestors. 'In the course of this consultation, he raped her under the guise of facilitating a healing ritual. She was left confused and aggrieved by this experience and checked with other traditional healers if this was part of the process. Everyone she checked with denied that this was related in any shape or form to a healing ritual. They all affirmed that, actually, what he did was take advantage of her and raped her,' said Khumalo. The matter was reported at the Kempton Park Police Station, which later handed the docket to the NPA. Mpahla, who was sentenced to eight years in prison earlier this month, was granted bail four days after he appealed the decision by the Kempton Park Magistrate Court. This decision resulted in an uproar, especially from Sonke Gender Justice, which has been calling for justice for the victim and her family. The organisation's policy development and advocacy manager, Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, stated that while bail pending appeal is a constitutional right, it is not automatic and should be weighed against the interests of justice. 'Gender-based violence, including rape, is a major challenge in South Africa, evidenced by alarming statistics. Granting a rape convict bail a few days after sentencing does not send a strong message to other would-be offenders on the severity of rape as a crime,' said Mangwiro-Tsanga. NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane did not respond to calls and messages. Mangwiro-Tsanga said Sonke monitored this case and supported the survivor despite several setbacks and multiple legal proceedings since 2021. The survivor endured many challenges, including secondary victimisation, but remained resilient throughout the ordeal. 'We, however, hope the outcomes of this case at the very minimum serve as a caution for perpetrators of violence, especially in the traditional healers' sector, where there are numerous alleged abuses of initiates by their spiritual guides, also known as Gobelas.' Meanwhile, the NoRegulationsForHealersWithoutHealers campaign also expressed its disappointment in the justice system. 'We are left grieving. How do you sentence a man, and allow him to go home? What message does this send to survivors, and those who risk everything to speak the truth? Let it be known: If you see him at home, he is not free. He is a convicted rapist, found guilty by law. His presence in the community is not a triumph of justice - it is a wound reopened, a truth denied, a sacred trust betrayed.'
eNCA
16-06-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Tackling GBV through educating boys
Anti-GBV protest JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa marks Youth Day, we turn our focus to one of the most urgent challenges facing our society, gender-based violence. Experts are increasingly calling for stronger prevention efforts that start early, particularly with boys and young men. One organisation leading this shift is Sonke Gender Justice, which has created safe spaces for young men to reflect on masculinity, relationships, and power, encouraging them to be part of the solution.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Why positive male role models are key to shaping boys and preventing GBV in South Africa
Father figures and positive male role models are key to addressing gender-based violence in South Africa. Image: Anete Lusina/Pexels As South Africa grapples with an escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), civil society organisations argue that the perception of boys who grow up without fathers as perpetrators of GBV is complex, emphasising that male role models—not just biological fathers—are key to shaping a child's behaviour and attitudes. According to the State of South African Fathers 2024 report, 64.5% of South African children do not live with their biological fathers. More than half of this group, however, live with other adult men including stepfathers, partners of their mothers, extended family members, relatives such as older brothers, grandfathers, and uncles. This Sunday, 15 June, South Africa will celebrate Father's Day and as society reflects on the significance of paternal influence, it becomes apparent that honouring male figures who provide supportive, nurturing guidance could be instrumental in changing the narrative around GBV. Jean-Marie Nkurunziza, MenCare regional programme specialist at Sonke Gender Justice, said the perception that boy children who grow up without fathers tend to be perpetrators of GBV is complex and multifaceted. The organisation said most of the research on fatherhood and caregiving suggests that the relationship between a father's absence and boy children becoming GBV perpetrators is not straightforward. 'It is influenced by various factors, including family dynamics, social environment, and economic conditions within various families,' said Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza warned that if this issue is not addressed, it will lead to more dysfunction and increased inequalities," he said. He said violence may be transmitted from one generation to another, leading to a vicious cycle and pattern of violence in society. Nkurunziza further explained that GBV can have significant social and economic costs, including increased healthcare costs, low productivity, mental health issues and reduced economic opportunities. Sonke Gender Justice emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of GBV, including patriarchal norms, power imbalances, and deep-rooted inequalities, which is crucial to preventing GBV. Nkurunziza said promoting gender equality and challenging harmful masculinity can help prevent GBV. 'Providing GBV survivor-centred care, including access to healthcare, counselling, and justice, is essential in ensuring the well-being and safety of survivors by working with partners across the country.' Javu Baloyi, spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality, stated that this perception is not necessarily true. 'It need to ensure that boys have mentors. In some cases, lack of a role model in a father figure is somewhat linked to anger, being respondents, and worse, culminating in gender-based violence. The issue of absent fathers has to be addressed,' he said. Action Society stated that there is evidence to suggest that the absence of positive male role models, particularly fathers, can contribute to behavioural challenges in boys, including a higher risk of violence. However, the non-profit organisation cautioned against oversimplifying or generalising the issue. 'Not all boys raised without fathers become perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV). Many grow up to be respectful, responsible men.' The real concern lies not solely in the absence of a father, but in the lack of consistent, healthy male guidance and emotional support during a child's formative years," said Action Society. It said failure to intervene allows the cycle of violence to continue unchecked. 'Boys who are not taught to manage anger, process trauma, or respect others may become adults who inflict harm." According to Action Society, this can perpetuate high rates of GBV, absentee fathers, and generational trauma in families and communities. "South Africa is already in a GBV crisis and cannot afford to ignore root causes or structural failures in raising boys to be emotionally secure and morally grounded men,' said the organisation. Action Society believes prevention is just as critical as prosecution. Investing in the development of boy children is a national priority. Fatherlessness is a symptom of broader systemic issues such as poverty, incarceration, substance abuse, and social breakdown that must be tackled holistically. 'Blaming fatherless boys alone does not solve the problem. Healing our society starts with strengthening families, communities, and the moral compass of future generations,' said the organisation. The TEARS Foundation believes in self-determination, accountability, and responsibility. The foundation cited the Human Sciences Research Council, which found that more than 60% of children in South Africa do not live with their biological fathers, and around 20% only have contact with their fathers twice a week. 'Some people believe that boys who grow up without fathers are more likely to become abusers, but if that were true, we would have to believe that 60% of the male population is abusive. That simply isn't supported by evidence,' said the foundation. The foundation said there is not enough research to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between father absence and abusive behaviour. 'The truth is, the causes of abuse are complex. But complexity is not an excuse. Understanding these root causes does not take away personal responsibility or accountability for abusive actions,' it said. The issue of absent fathers is also complex, it said, adding that research shows that many absent fathers themselves grew up without present father figures. 'Breaking this cycle requires us to shift social beliefs. We must recognise that fathers do matter and that positive, present father figures who model respectful, morally grounded behaviour can help change the culture of violence we have come to accept,' it said. The TEARS Foundation stated that we live in a society that is 'hurting' and that if we do not address the erosion of shared values and the loss of moral direction, this pain will continue to grow. 'We believe the solution lies in rebuilding a society rooted in hope, healing, and human dignity. Change is possible when we choose to care, connect, and take responsibility for the world we're shaping for future generations.' Wessel van den Berg, Senior Advocacy Officer at Equimundo Centre for Masculinities and Social Justice, explained that a social father is a man who steps into a fathering role, engaging with the child and providing caregiving with the full knowledge and consent of the child's mother or guardian. 'Children tend to identify with men who they spend quite a lot of time with, and with time and consistency, these men could become father figures to them. So, a social father is really defined in terms of the nature and quality of care that a man gives to a child,' he said. Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder and CEO of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit mentoring organisation focused on connecting 'fatherless' boys with vetted and trained social fathers, said social fathers are special people who, in the absence of a biological connection, must have a strong personal intention and commitment to make a good difference in the lives of boys. 'They need to be men who are driven by their values and can stand out as role models because of this demonstrable integrity,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
12-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Why positive male role models are key to shaping boys and preventing GBV in South Africa
Father figures and positive male role models are key to addressing gender-based violence in South Africa. Image: Anete Lusina/Pexels As South Africa grapples with an escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), civil society organisations argue that the perception of boys who grow up without fathers as perpetrators of GBV is complex, emphasising that male role models—not just biological fathers—are key to shaping a child's behaviour and attitudes. According to the State of South African Fathers 2024 report, 64.5% of South African children do not live with their biological fathers. More than half of this group, however, live with other adult men including stepfathers, partners of their mothers, extended family members, relatives such as older brothers, grandfathers, and uncles. This Sunday, 15 June, South Africa will celebrate Father's Day and as society reflects on the significance of paternal influence, it becomes apparent that honouring male figures who provide supportive, nurturing guidance could be instrumental in changing the narrative around GBV. Jean-Marie Nkurunziza, MenCare regional programme specialist at Sonke Gender Justice, said the perception that boy children who grow up without fathers tend to be perpetrators of GBV is complex and multifaceted. The organisation said most of the research on fatherhood and caregiving suggests that the relationship between a father's absence and boy children becoming GBV perpetrators is not straightforward. 'It is influenced by various factors, including family dynamics, social environment, and economic conditions within various families,' said Nkurunziza. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Nkurunziza warned that if this issue is not addressed, it will lead to more dysfunction and increased inequalities," he said. He said violence may be transmitted from one generation to another, leading to a vicious cycle and pattern of violence in society. Nkurunziza further explained that GBV can have significant social and economic costs, including increased healthcare costs, low productivity, mental health issues and reduced economic opportunities. Sonke Gender Justice emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of GBV, including patriarchal norms, power imbalances, and deep-rooted inequalities, which is crucial to preventing GBV. Nkurunziza said promoting gender equality and challenging harmful masculinity can help prevent GBV. 'Providing GBV survivor-centred care, including access to healthcare, counselling, and justice, is essential in ensuring the well-being and safety of survivors by working with partners across the country.' Javu Baloyi, spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality, stated that this perception is not necessarily true. 'It need to ensure that boys have mentors. In some cases, lack of a role model in a father figure is somewhat linked to anger, being respondents, and worse, culminating in gender-based violence. The issue of absent fathers has to be addressed,' he said. Action Society stated that there is evidence to suggest that the absence of positive male role models, particularly fathers, can contribute to behavioural challenges in boys, including a higher risk of violence. However, the non-profit organisation cautioned against oversimplifying or generalising the issue. 'Not all boys raised without fathers become perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV). Many grow up to be respectful, responsible men.' The real concern lies not solely in the absence of a father, but in the lack of consistent, healthy male guidance and emotional support during a child's formative years," said Action Society. It said failure to intervene allows the cycle of violence to continue unchecked. 'Boys who are not taught to manage anger, process trauma, or respect others may become adults who inflict harm." According to Action Society, this can perpetuate high rates of GBV, absentee fathers, and generational trauma in families and communities. "South Africa is already in a GBV crisis and cannot afford to ignore root causes or structural failures in raising boys to be emotionally secure and morally grounded men,' said the organisation. Action Society believes prevention is just as critical as prosecution. Investing in the development of boy children is a national priority. Fatherlessness is a symptom of broader systemic issues such as poverty, incarceration, substance abuse, and social breakdown that must be tackled holistically. 'Blaming fatherless boys alone does not solve the problem. Healing our society starts with strengthening families, communities, and the moral compass of future generations,' said the organisation. The TEARS Foundation believes in self-determination, accountability, and responsibility. The foundation cited the Human Sciences Research Council, which found that more than 60% of children in South Africa do not live with their biological fathers, and around 20% only have contact with their fathers twice a week. 'Some people believe that boys who grow up without fathers are more likely to become abusers, but if that were true, we would have to believe that 60% of the male population is abusive. That simply isn't supported by evidence,' said the foundation. The foundation said there is not enough research to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between father absence and abusive behaviour. 'The truth is, the causes of abuse are complex. But complexity is not an excuse. Understanding these root causes does not take away personal responsibility or accountability for abusive actions,' it said. The issue of absent fathers is also complex, it said, adding that research shows that many absent fathers themselves grew up without present father figures. 'Breaking this cycle requires us to shift social beliefs. We must recognise that fathers do matter and that positive, present father figures who model respectful, morally grounded behaviour can help change the culture of violence we have come to accept,' it said. The TEARS Foundation stated that we live in a society that is 'hurting' and that if we do not address the erosion of shared values and the loss of moral direction, this pain will continue to grow. 'We believe the solution lies in rebuilding a society rooted in hope, healing, and human dignity. Change is possible when we choose to care, connect, and take responsibility for the world we're shaping for future generations.' Wessel van den Berg, Senior Advocacy Officer at Equimundo Centre for Masculinities and Social Justice, explained that a social father is a man who steps into a fathering role, engaging with the child and providing caregiving with the full knowledge and consent of the child's mother or guardian. 'Children tend to identify with men who they spend quite a lot of time with, and with time and consistency, these men could become father figures to them. So, a social father is really defined in terms of the nature and quality of care that a man gives to a child,' he said. Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder and CEO of The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit mentoring organisation focused on connecting 'fatherless' boys with vetted and trained social fathers, said social fathers are special people who, in the absence of a biological connection, must have a strong personal intention and commitment to make a good difference in the lives of boys. 'They need to be men who are driven by their values and can stand out as role models because of this demonstrable integrity,' he said.
