Christina “Nikki” Joseph and her daughter, Brooklyn Hemmero, 15, were killed in their Woodlands flat, last Tuesday evening. Joseph’s boyfriend, Kyle Francis, 37, has been charged with their murder
Image: CHUMANI MAZWI
SOUTH Africa stands at a moral crossroads. We have declared gender-based violence (GBV) a national crisis, yet for thousands of women and children, safety remains a distant promise. Despite progressive laws and global commitments, the violence continues, often behind closed doors, often hidden in silence.
Across all communities, the crisis is deeply entrenched. But within the Indian community, particularly in areas like Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Gauteng, there is a growing visibility of intimate partner violence, especially during periods of separation, divorce or post-divorce conflict. These are not isolated incidents. They are warning signs of a deeper systemic failure.
Globally, more than 840 million women have experienced violence, and over 51,000 women are killed annually in acts of femicide. Progress in reducing violence has been negligible, declining at just 0.2% per year over the past two decades. These figures expose a harsh truth: while policies exist, protection does not always reach those who need it most.
The international community, through frameworks like the United Nations, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw), and the Sustainable Development Goals, has long committed to ending violence against women. Yet implementation at local level remains inconsistent, fragmented, and often ineffective.
In South Africa, the most dangerous moment for a woman is frequently when she tries to leave an abusive relationship. This is when control is challenged, emotions escalate, and violence can become fatal. Divorce, custody battles and financial disputes often act as flashpoints. We must confront the uncomfortable reality that GBV is not simply about crime: it is about power, control and deeply-embedded social norms.
In many communities, cultural expectations still prioritise family reputation over individual safety. Divorce carries stigma. Women are often encouraged to endure rather than escape. Abuse is hidden, minimised, or explained away until it is too late. This silence is deadly. If we are serious about ending this epidemic, then our response must be bold, co-ordinated, and rooted in prevention.
First, legislative systems must move from reactive to preventative. South Africa has strong laws, but SAPS enforcement remains inconsistent. We need early intervention mechanisms within the justice system, particularly in high-risk domestic disputes. Protection orders must be actively monitored and enforced. Police and social workers must be trained to recognise warning signs before violence escalates. Furthermore, the Department of Social Development needs to operationalise a few of the women’s shelters in various provinces; embark on public private partnerships for these much needed facilities as alternate shelter is a right in these circumstances of GBV.
Moreover, the national government has not provided leadership in this regards with a funding model for women’s shelters, hence the haphazard provision across the provinces. NGOs are playing a pivotal role to attract foreign funding to get this job done and make the government responsive to this epidemic.
Second, faith-based institutions must step forward as moral leaders. Religious spaces are often the first point of contact for struggling families. Temples, churches and mosques must actively promote healthy relationships, provide counselling services, and clearly communicate that abuse is neither cultural nor religious. Silence from these institutions only reinforces harmful norms.
Third, families must reclaim their role as protectors, not gatekeepers of silence. Too often, victims are discouraged from speaking out due to fear of shame or social judgement. Families must support those who choose to leave abusive relationships, particularly during the most vulnerable stages of separation. Marriage preparation must also evolve. Couples should not enter lifelong commitments without guidance on communication, financial management and conflict resolution.
Pre-marital and ongoing mentorship programmes can play a critical role in preventing violence before it begins.
Finally, society as a whole must shift its mindset. GBV is not a private matter. It is a public crisis that requires collective accountability. The research is clear: violence against women is not inevitable, it is preventable. But prevention requires action at every level of society: the government must enforce, faith leaders must guide, and families must protect, while communities must speak out.
This is not just about policy as the government cannot be too prescriptive into the private lives of citizens, but it is about values. A society that cannot protect its women and children cannot claim progress, justice or dignity. Every life lost is a failure of our overall political, social and moral leadership. Moral regeneration is a national development plan goal, and is the task of our deputy president to promote.
As a nation we all have to work hard to meet the NDP 2030 goals. Therefore we cannot afford to look away any longer. The time for promises has passed. The time for action is now.
Shameen Thakur Rajbansi
Image: Supplied
Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi is the leader of the Minority Front and eThekwini mayoral candidate.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.