Ramaphosa Urges Men to Lead Fight Against GBV: “Not in Our Name”

Addressing a large gathering of men of all ages, President Ramaphosa said he was encouraged to see “brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and sons” united for a common purpose: ending violence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued one of his strongest national appeals yet, calling on South African men to take decisive responsibility in confronting the country’s escalating gender-based violence (GBV) crisis. Speaking at the 2025 Men’s Indaba held at Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein, the President urged men to stand up, speak out and actively dismantle the harmful norms that perpetuate violence.

The event forms part of South Africa’s observance of the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, a period dedicated to raising awareness and mobilising action against abuse.

“Not in My Name”: A National Call for Accountability

Addressing a large gathering of men of all ages, President Ramaphosa said he was encouraged to see “brothers, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and sons” united for a common purpose: ending violence.

“Violence against women and children is a pandemic that will destroy our nation if we do not stop it. You are here because you are ready to stand up and be counted as men who say: ‘Not in my Name,’” he said.

He highlighted that although some serious crimes have decreased, contact sexual offences and attempted sexual offences have increased, meaning more women, girls and young boys continue to face sexual abuse.

GBV Is Rooted in Men’s Behaviour, Not Women’s Responsibility

The President underscored a long-standing but often unspoken truth: that GBV is fundamentally caused by men’s actions, attitudes, and choices.

“Gender-based violence is not a problem of women. It is a problem of men, and the terrible crimes they commit,” he said.

While acknowledging ongoing government efforts—including the launch of a new Sexual Offences Court in Botshabelo—he stressed that laws, policing and courts alone cannot end GBV.

“Until we directly engage men, the statistics will not change.”

Social Crises Fueling Violence: Fatherlessness, Poverty, and Mental Health

The President warned that South Africa continues to face a silent crisis of broken families, with the majority of children growing up without their biological fathers.

This absence of positive male role models, combined with high unemployment, school dropout rates, substance abuse, depression, and social isolation, leaves many boys vulnerable to gangs, criminal behaviour and toxic masculinity.

He noted that many men are struggling privately, with mental health challenges going unaddressed.

“Many men in this country are suffering from depression… struggling with alcoholism and drug dependency.”

Harmful Masculinity in Society and Media

Ramaphosa criticised pervasive cultural trends and online content that glorify violence and portray kindness as weakness.

“The image is being pushed that violence is strength, and compassion makes you a coward or a ‘simp’. These messages are poisoning our boys.”

He called for active efforts to reshape societal norms and teach boys that empathy, responsibility and respect are defining qualities of real manhood.

Abuse Is Happening in Families and Communities

The President drew attention to the fact that abusers are not strangers but often family members, neighbours, or friends. He condemned the culture of silence among men who witness abusive behaviour but look away.

“Most shamefully, other men look away. This must end.”

Need for Safe Spaces and Continuous Dialogues

Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of creating nationwide safe spaces for men and boys, where issues such as trauma, anger, social pressures and abusive behaviour can be confronted honestly.

These engagements, he said, must:

• Focus on prevention

• Provide psychosocial support for boys in schools

• Rehabilitate offenders

• Strengthen community-level interventions

“South Africa does not need a new generation of men. It needs the men of this generation to do better.”

A Final Call to Action

The President closed his address by urging men across all communities to embrace responsibility, reject violence, and help transform South Africa into a safe and equal society.

“Men of South Africa, stand up and be counted. GBV will fall when men rise. Not in violence, but in respect, courage and accountability.”