CAPE TOWN – A 15-minute silence. Name after name, more than 400 women and children called into the wind. In the distance, an open, empty casket stands. Inside is the faces of those murdered or scarred by GBVF in South Africa.
These were the scenes at the Sea Point Promenade today, where hundreds gathered for the national shutdown demanding urgent action on the country’s GBVF crisis.
The 15-minute silence represented the 15 women killed daily in South Africa.
The shutdown was led by Women for Change, a non-profit fighting for the constitutional rights and protection of women and children across the country.
Sabrina Walter, founder of Women for Change, told People’s Post that the past two weeks has been emotional for her and her team.
“When president Ramaphosa announced that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) will be declared a national disaster it was the biggest moment for us.”
Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), has confirmed that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has been classified a national disaster.
An open empty casket filled with the faces of GBVF victims stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis in South Africa. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom 
A protester, kitted in underwear and red mark symbolising blood, walks quietly, reflecting on the lives lost to GBVF in South Africa. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom 
Safeline community development workers joins the march, calling for an end to gender-based violence. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom 
Participants raise posters and placards demanding justice and accountability for victims of gender-based violence and femicide. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom 
Capetonians gather at the Sea Point Promenade for the national shutdown calling for urgent action against GBVF. Photo: Kaylynne Bantom
The classification calls on all organs of state to strengthen their support to existing GBVF response structures, to fully implement their contingency arrangements, and to ensure that all necessary mechanisms are activated to enable the National Executive to manage the disaster effectively.
Walter emphasised that this declaration is the culmination of ten years of hard work and continual appeals.
“This morning the President signed the declaration, we are proud. We all did it. This is the power of community. It feels like we can finally turn into a different way and make sure that maybe one day we don’t need to say those names anymore.”
Protestor Yonke Ngemntu, said she took part in the shutdown because she is a survivor of sexual assault.
“When I was in grade 5, I was sexually abused by my father. My ex-boyfriend tried to rape me, but I escaped him. I am here to speak for South African women and children. I am here for Palestinian women and children and all others.”
Another protestor, Taslynn De Wee, community development worker for Safeline, said they are standing in solidarity with every victim and survivor.
“We are joining 1000s of women in uniting in wanting to be part of change and making our mark advocating for an end to GBV. We are saying to our government we had enough. We are not going to allow another mother, sister, women, child, or family of the queer community to be a victim of GBV.”
Walter said she hopes today’s Shutdown sparks action from government.
“I hope that we will change the way forward on how GBVF is treated in this country. I hope we can finally hold government accountable to what they have signed today.
Walter also shared a message with GBV survivors
“We see you, we believe you and we will change the way forward for women and children in the country and in this world. There will be a day where we will feel safe.”
