Durban - Zulu King Misuzulu Zwelithini has pledged to play his part in ensuring that that the abuse of women and children is eradicated.
The king made this commitment on Saturday during the march against gender-based violence at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
Men and women marched from King Dinuzulu Park to the cricket stadium with the king in the event that was coined as National Men’s Day. They proceeded through the City Hall and convened at Gugu Dlamini Park before proceeding to the Kingsmead Stadium.
Some of the stakeholders in the campaign included the GoodMen Foundation, Maskolo Foundation and MultiChoice.
The Zulu monarch noted that in his inaugural speech he said that he would protect women and children, with reference to GBV and femicide in the country being the single largest barrier to achieving dignity for women and children.
He said that most mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, nieces and daughters had lost hope.
He noted that although the reality was that there was a challenge of resources, collaboration through the various skills and capabilities amongst people could extend the impact of the limited resources to fighting the problem of GBV and child abuse.
“History teaches us that as citizens, we are guilty on two fronts, by commission and by looking the other way, to this problem. There are women and children who are abused, raped and others even killed. However, those among us who do nothing to wipe out the scourge are just as guilty as the perpetrators.
“I condemn and also request due assistance of systems and resources such as our churches, mosques, temples, hostels, schools and workplaces and royal circles,” he said.
The king said his late father, King Zwelithini, was a champion in movements that fought against GBV, and the people of KwaZulu-Natal should honour him by joining hands in fighting this crime.
King Misuzulu said that although there were platforms for women to be groomed, such as the Reed Dance, there was a need for a system that would groom young men into becoming good men, fathers and leaders.
“I pledge that we work together in this process. I commit, encourage and motivate that this problem of GBV will be one of my main focuses as I sit on the throne today.
“With this, I urge everyone, especially KwaZulu-Natal as it becomes number one in this country when it comes to this problem. This is not something we can be proud of as a province. So I urge all those who live in South Africa that we fight this demonic spirit that engulfs our country today,” he said.
Former United Nations official Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka noted that whice GBV was an international problem, the incidence in South Africa was “above average”.
“We have a pandemic which is a challenge that requires us to constantly consider and fight. Women, young girls and grandmothers experience this in their homes. The greatest amount of GBV is perpetuated by people they know and love and as a result not many report it because they are afraid of reporting the people that abuse them,” said Mlambo-Ngcuka.
She added that they were not keen on speaking up about it because they did not receive assistance, and in some cases end up losing their jobs or being judged by those close to them so they choose not to report it, which essentially leads to mental health problems.
She added that what countries had in common was the existence of GBV in homes, churches and police station.
“It is not fair for women to fight GBV alone, while men who are perpetrators sit and do not do anything.
“Boy children also need role models from whom they can learn what it means to be a man, and a role model is the best teacher for a boy child. If they stay at home with a father that abuses alcohol, or an abusive father, they will mirror that behaviour, and there is a good chance that they will end up in jail,” she said.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE