South Africa: Emfuleni community reclaims unsafe spaces

The community of Emfuleni Municipality in Sedibeng is committed to taking back the night.

Led by their Executive Mayor Concillor Mshudulu, South African Police representatives and Miss Emfuleni, the community marched along a street they deemed lost to perpetrators of violence.

The walk was followed by an interactive event involving a candle-lighting ceremony. A survivor of gender-based violence (GBV), Sweetness Gwabe, spoke of her experience of abuse and how she eventually left her 37-year marriage. Her message was aimed at encouraging women to speak out against GBV so that they can get the help they need. Gwabe also stated that she finds speaking out to be therapeutic and emphasised that it could set women free.

Women traders handed a petition to the mayor which was received on behalf of the City of Johannesburg to raise the concerns they have around violence perpetrated by Metro Police when they are at their workstations: the streets.

The mayor contended that the event challenged the municipality to take the campaign to greater heights. He committed to ensure that the social cluster hold monthly events throughout the year on gender-based violence.