Marchers say ‘No is No!’ to abuse
SCORES of demonstrators took to the streets of Pretoria yesterday to heed the government’s call to march against gender-based violence which is largely perpetrated against women and children in the country.
The government-led crusade was under the banner #100MenMarch, to symbolise the centenary birthday celebrations of both the late state president Nelson Mandela and political struggle heroine Albertina Sisulu.
The 2.5km walk followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “Thuma Mina” or “send me” call for citizens to respond to the different needs of society.
Government ministers, faith-based organisations, non-governmental groups, civil servants, city residents and bikers converged at Kgosi Mampuru street, and at 10am thronged through the inner city, walking up Madiba Street to the southern lawn of the Union Buildings.
Motorists hooted and bystanders took pictures and videos of the convoy of cars, bikes and people in #100MenMarch T-shirts.
At the Union Buildings, government ministers and deputy ministers took turns at the podium to chant their pledge against violence against women and children, underpinned by the slogan “No is No!”
Among them was police minister, Bheki Cele, who called on people to champion the message against women and children abuse every day.
“This day should be every day and not just be today – you go home and do exactly what you are not supposed to do,” he said.
He had strong words too for SAPS officers, warning them against mishandling cases of abuse against women.
“When a woman comes battered, bloodied and bruised to the police stations, don’t send her home to negotiate, because next time she won’t come.
“By the time she doesn’t come to the police station again, she would be dead.”
Cele urged women to take care of themselves by leaving abusive relationships.
“Any man who points a finger at you – turn around and walk away. Don’t ever stay with a man who puts his finger in your face. Next time he will put a knife in your heart. Leave – that is not a man, that’s an animal,” he said.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee of the Safer South Africa campaign echoed Cele’s words, saying: “Why do we have to wait for 16 days of activism in November and December?
“As the minister of police said, ‘Let’s make it 365 days of activism’. Today we are saying no to violence. Today we are saluting our government for taking a stand and having the inaugural #100MenMarch.”
Abramjee appealed to law-enforcement authorities to arrest abuse perpetrators and charge them.
“We are also appealing to our criminal justice system to make sure that these perpetrators are brought to book.”
Together with other ministers, Cele signed a pledge and lit the “torch of hope” to symbolise their commitment to fight abuse of children and women.
Speaker after speaker emphasised that men had to desist from being “woman bashers”, and play their roles as their lovers and protectors.