South Africa's Gender-Based Violence Crisis
· fashion
Five Women, Endless Fear: South Africa’s Ongoing Struggle Against Gender-Based Violence
The recent discovery of Elizabeth Moselakgomo’s body has sent shockwaves across South Africa. The 29-year-old jogger had been missing in Kempton Park, and her death is the latest manifestation of the country’s entrenched problem with gender-based violence (GBV). Five women have now gone missing, all found half-naked and bruised in isolated areas. The similarities between these cases are eerily familiar.
According to UN Women, South Africa has one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. Women are killed at a rate five times higher than the global average. This is largely due to the country’s failure to effectively implement laws aimed at protecting its citizens. Advocacy groups like Women for Change are urging citizens to take matters into their own hands, using collective pressure to force change from those in power.
The fear that grips South African women is palpable. Fellow runners of Elizabeth’s club have spoken about the anxiety they feel when jogging through the streets. They calculate each step to minimize risk – where to go, when to go, and with whom to be accompanied. This isn’t just about personal safety; it’s an indictment of a system that fails its most vulnerable citizens.
Social media platforms are filled with women sharing their own harrowing experiences of living in constant fear. Lesedi Ledwaba’s words cut deep: “Women are not free if we have to calculate where, when and with whom we can walk, run or exist safely.” These sentiments echo the crisis that has been brewing for far too long.
The authorities’ response thus far has been inadequate. One arrest has been made in connection with the first body discovered, but it remains to be seen whether this will lead to meaningful justice or accountability. The task team set up to investigate these murders is a reminder of bureaucratic inertia – the wheels of justice turning slowly, if at all.
Elizabeth’s family joins countless others who have been shattered by senseless violence. The outpouring of support for her mother has been heartwarming, but it’s a Band-Aid solution to a far more profound problem. It’s high time for South Africa to confront the root causes of GBV and demand that its leaders take concrete action to protect its citizens.
The discovery of these bodies serves as a grim reminder that the country is still reeling from the aftermath of its national disaster declaration on gender violence in 2025. The question now is whether this renewed outrage will translate into tangible change or simply become another chapter in South Africa’s GBV saga.
As Elizabeth’s friends and family continue to mourn her loss, they are joined by a nation that has been awakened to the harsh realities of living with fear every day. Until South Africa confronts the entrenched systems of oppression that perpetuate GBV, its women will never be truly free.
Reader Views
- TCThe Closet Desk · editorial
While the recent discoveries have rightfully sparked outrage and demands for action, South Africa's GBV crisis can't be reduced to just a matter of law enforcement or judicial reform. The root cause lies in a toxic culture that perpetuates the devaluation of women's lives. Advocates are right to urge citizens to pressure those in power, but we also need to confront the societal norms and attitudes that normalize violence against women. We should be asking: what can ordinary South Africans do to dismantle these cultural underpinnings, and how can communities organize collective action to prevent such tragedies from occurring?
- NBNina B. · stylist
What's glaringly absent from this report is any mention of the economic factors driving South Africa's GBV crisis. The country's high rates of poverty and unemployment create a culture where women are seen as vulnerable and exploitable. Until we address these underlying issues, advocating for "collective pressure" or "change from those in power" rings hollow. It's time to recognize that tackling GBV requires more than just laws and awareness campaigns – it demands a fundamental shift in the economic and social structures perpetuating violence against women.
- THTheo H. · menswear writer
The South African government's failure to address gender-based violence is nothing short of abdication of responsibility. What's often overlooked in this discussion is the economic toll GBV takes on women and families. Many victims are forced into poverty after being pushed out of employment or experiencing reduced earning potential due to their traumatic experiences. It's a vicious cycle that compounds the psychological trauma, making it essential for policymakers to address the intersectional impacts of GBV, not just its symptoms.