‘We have a responsibility’: Sharks rugby players stand against GBV

The Sharks have become the first rugby club to speak out against gender-based violence in South Africa. Like many South Africans, the players also wore black on Friday, in solidarity with the mission to fight femicide.

Their commitment to protect women comes after police discovered nine bodies of women who were sexually assaulted and murdered in the Ekuhuleni district in recent weeks.

SHARKS PLAYERS STAND UP AGAINST GBV

In a video posted on its social media platforms, the Sharks revealed that they would wear black on Friday, 19 September, in solidarity with South Africans fighting GBV.

The club shared: “Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to devastate families and communities across South Africa. Today, we stand in black, in solidarity with every woman and child affected, and with every family carrying the pain of losing someone they love.

“We stand together for a country where everyone can live safely, freely and without fear”

In another post, several prominent Sharks players also publicly addressed the endemic.

Sharks player, Vincent Koch, who has 63 test caps for the Springboks, said, “The senseless killing and violence against women and girls in our country must stop. Every woman should be able to live, walk and live without fear

Mapimpi: “As men, we have a responsibility to speak up, to call it out and to never look the other way”.

Phepsi Buthelezi added, “We want to say that we stand with you. To our sisters and mothers, we see you, we hear you, and we will always love you”.

SPRINGBOK IMPI LEADS THE PACK

Meanwhile, Springboks Impi warrior Sibusiso Kotelo led a peaceful male protest in Johannesburg to show his commitment to taking action and holding perpetrators accountable for GBV.

He shared: “It is our responsibility as men to stand up and protect our women and children. Women should not see men and think of how to survive that encounter. Whether it’s going for a walk. Going into a lift. Getting into an Uber and anything else in between”.

Kotelo added that the men had prayed together and had also presented a petition to the mayor. 

He added: “Not for demands but for a partnership with the city council as to what we can collaboratively achieve to ensure a safe environment for our women and children”.