Ramaphosa: Abuse, rape and killing of women not our heritage

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the abuse, rape and killing of women in South Africa is not part of the country’s heritage. Speaking at the National Women’s Day commemoration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the President addressed the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) in the nation.

Gender-based violence and femicide is not a woman’s problem. It is a problem of society. It is a problem of violent men. Overcoming this scourge, therefore, demands that men and boys must step forward and say ‘not in my name’.

The President emphasized that the actions of perpetrators cannot be justified by how women dress, their behavior, or their relationship status. He called upon all men to take responsibility and actively work to end the violence that continues to plague communities across the country.

Reflecting on the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, Ramaphosa honored the women who fought against apartheid, describing them as the authors of South Africa’s history and leaders in the struggle for freedom and justice.