STAKEHOLDERS UNITED AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE

A significant step in strengthening the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) was marked through the hosting of the GBVF Rapid Response Team Launch at the Msukaligwa Local Municipality Council Chamber on 27 May 2026. The session brought together key stakeholders and community structures committed to addressing and preventing GBVF within local communities.

The programme was led by the Speaker of Council, Cllr N.S Xaba, alongside the Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr S.E Ngoveni, who emphasised the importance of strengthened partnerships and coordinated responses in addressing GBVF. Gender based violence and femicide continues to be recognised as a national crisis in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously described it as the country’s “second pandemic,” calling for urgent, coordinated action across all sectors of society to address it.

The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration and accelerating local responses through the implementation of the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which include accountability and leadership, prevention and social cohesion, justice and protection, support and healing for victims and survivors, economic empowerment, as well as research and information management systems.

Among the stakeholders in attendance were Gert Sibande TVET College, Gert Sibande District Municipality, the Department of Education, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Development Agency (NDA), the Department of Social Development (DSD), Eagle Consultant, the Department of Sport, faith based organisations, the Men’s Forum, and other community partners.

The establishment of the Rapid Response Team is aimed at increasing cooperation among stakeholders, improving intervention and referral systems, and ensuring a more coordinated response to GBVF related matters within communities.

Through this initiative, the municipality and its partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening coordinated action, improving response mechanisms, and ensuring that no case of gender based violence is left without support and intervention