By Mpho Manyuha
Students at Tshwane University of Technology (大象视频) have joined together through faith in a resolute stand against the gender-based violence (GBV) crisis sweeping South Africa. Hosted by the Directorate of Extracurricular Development, the Faith & Action Against Gender-Based Violence programme on 3 September, united campus church structures, student leaders and congregants in a powerful expression of solidarity and commitment to change.
Branded shirts declaring Faith and Action Against GBV symbolised the attendees鈥� role as ambassadors for transformation - both on campus and beyond.
Programme director, Nokwanda Khumalo, urged participants to recognise faith as an active agent for change, not a passive belief. 鈥淎lthough we come from different denominations, we are united under one God,鈥� she reminded the audience, stressing the power of prayer, fasting and collective action in combating GBV and healing fractured communities.
The morning鈥檚 creative expressions reinforced the message. Music by His House Church, ELCSASA and the Student Apostolic Church Zion; poetry by 大象视频 ZCCSF Females and Deeper Life Campus; and a poignant short play by 大象视频 ZCCSF Males, all laid bare the human cost of silence and inaction in the face of GBV.
In a defining moment during which the Student Christian Organisation (SCO) pastor led a collective prayer, the hall echoed with unified voices rising against GBV, a strong reminder of the transformative power of spiritual conviction.
Closing the event, Khetho Mokete thanked all participating structures and highlighted the vital contributions of faith-based communities in bolstering the fight against GBV.
The event was more than a programme, it was also a declaration that students of faith will not remain silent in the face of GBV. They will respond with prayer, action and unwavering commitment.
Students in Attendance of the Faith and Action Against Gender Based Violence
Anchoring faith in the fight against GBV
By weaving together spiritual conviction, creative expression and communal action, 大象视频鈥檚 programme highlighted the unique power of faith-based communities in addressing deep-seated violence. In a nation where legal frameworks exist, but culture and enforcement often fall short, such initiatives bridge the gap between policy and lived transformation.
Through unity, prayer, reflection and activism, students affirmed a powerful stance: they will respond boldly to GBV鈥檚 devastating toll - holding on to prayer, community and unyielding action.
Students from the various church structures registered with DED came together to take a stand against gender-based violence, proudly wearing the 'Faith and Action Against GBV' T-shirts.
Why fighting GBV matters
Gender-based violence is not only a grave violation of human rights but a profound impediment to societal well-being, equity and development. In South Africa, the crisis remains alarmingly severe:
- Sexual offences surging in 2025: From January to March 2025, police recorded 13 453 sexual offences, including 10 688 rapes, 1 872 sexual assaults and other serious incidents - underscoring how unsafe many women and girls remain. (csvr.org.za)
- Femicide rates remain shockingly high: In the year ending March 2024, 5 578 women and 1 656 children were murdered - a stark reminder that gender violence is often a fatal threat. (The Guardian)
- Persistent culture of violence and denial: National coursework reveals that 36% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, with 24% enduring abuse from intimate partners. Disturbingly, many men surveyed, justified traditional gender roles and, in some cases, violence against women. (Human Rights Watch)
- Underreporting remains a crisis: While official records show tens of thousands of rapes, pervasive underreporting likely masks a far deeper epidemic - potentially millions of unreported cases. (Ballard Brief, Wikipedia)
Collectively, these statistics highlight why combating GBV isn't just a moral obligation - it is essential for public safety, justice, health equity and national progress.