Next Africa Can South Africa Tackle Its Gender Based Violence Crisis?
Nov 27, 2025
S'thembile Cela, a dedicated government reporter, dives deep into South Africa's alarming gender-based violence crisis, revealing that the female murder rate is over five times the global average. As protests coincided with the G20, she discusses the motives behind activists' actions and their demands for international attention. Cela also highlights the government's potential declaration of GBV as a national disaster and the complexities involved in making real changes, shedding light on the dire conditions faced by victims and the urgent need for systemic reforms.
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Scale Of The Crisis
- South Africa's female murder rate is over five times the global average and often involves intimate partners.
- S'thembile Cela warns this is a daily, systemic 'war on women' rather than isolated incidents.
A Horrific Example That Made Headlines
- S'thembile Cela recounts individual tragedies like the 2019 post-office rape and murder of a student to illustrate the crisis.
- These cases sporadically surface in media but reflect routine daily violence against women.
Protests Timed For Maximum Visibility
- Activists used the G20 moment to amplify protests, staging nationwide lie-downs and a one-day consumer boycott.
- The actions aimed to force government recognition and leverage international attention for change.