The steady patter of footsteps became a rhythm, became a roar, became thunder rolling through the streets of East London.
From City Hall to the sea, the women, many of us who have experienced gender-based violence, found each other, found our spirits, our souls in resistance to this horrendous nightmare which has become SA.
We were about 1,000 women. There were also some good men by our side.
The women whispering prayers, hummed freedom struggle songs under their breath.
Placards with their outward shout of rebellion against hatred, brushed softly against coats, banners snapped in the wind.
I was in the crowd, we were in it together. The moment had gravitas. You felt it.
Deeper into our collective humanity, we were sharing the pain of our experience in this “new SA”.
It felt personal because it was personal.
Uyinene Mrwetyana. We met at my matric dance, through our dates.
We were socialising at a guesthouse before heading off.
We were dressed beautifully, but I only recall her bright smile, her curiosity and friendliness towards this West Bank High girl from a Kingswood College private school girl. I had to look up at her. She was tall. She had an inner radiance, an energy that found you. We clicked and were busy online friends, and then she left for UCT. She was raped and murdered in the Clairemont Post Office by Luyanda Botha, a post office worker in jail now.
This is why I am here. I hear her name with every step.
It is like that for many of us on these streets today.
It felt good to own the streets, even if for a few hours.
This is a space, so often threatening, frightening, even terrifying, for women and girls.
Here misogynists and abusers lurk and loiter, “normal” guys some, but predators when the hatred is revealed.
But here we were women, children and elders, our few good guys, walking shoulder to shoulder, a powerful act of resistance. We are taking back ground that has for too long been colonised by brutes.
We did not feel loud or boastful. We felt steady, grounded.
And when we all lay down on the warm cement of the Leighandre “Baby Lee” Recreational Park slabs, our “rest” – a protest against the unfair burden of labour placed upon many women, all the feelings surfaced again – grief, anger. The air trembled. Tears mingled with ocean salt.
The march, held under the banners of Women for Change and Enough Is Enough, came just a day after the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg where President Cyril Ramaphosa declared GBV and femicide a national crisis.
Ramaphosa urged all in society to take immediate and coordinated action against the violent hatred meted out to women.
However, organisers and participants demanded evidence that Ramaphosa’s declaration meant action and was not just empty rhetoric.
They wanted to see tangible change for GBV survivors across the country.
The local branch of Women for Change had drawn broad support from civil society organisations, school groups, church leaders and residents.
“This is no longer something we can ignore,” said a rape and abuse victim.
“We are losing mothers, daughters, sisters. Enough is enough.”
The final march destination, the Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels recreational park, held deep significance.
It is named in honour of the late boxing and karate champion who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, a police officer, at her home in 2019.
Her mother, Rita Jegels, speaking to Go! through tears, her voice raw, said: “Seeing so many young people, especially women standing up for their rights, makes me think of my daughter who could have done the same thing, [fighting for women’s rights] but she held back because her abuser threatened to harm her family.”
Marchers said they were tired with GBV violence tearing through communities. They spoke of personal loss, fear, and frustration at seeing justice delayed or denied.
Organiser Roberta Vermaak described the march as a reflection of a community reaching its breaking point, frustrated by slow justice processes, inadequate policing, and the lack of survivor support.
“People are tired. We cannot keep mourning women and children while systems designed to protect them continue to fail,” she said.
Vermaak highlighted the upcoming 16 Days of Activism, emphasising that the movement would continue beyond the march.
“The activism is not ending.
“I am starting to work with organisations that will be mobilising programmes, where we will be teaching men, women and children what to do when they feel they are violated.
“Working with such organisations will increase awareness within Buffalo City communities, and hopefully the government will assist.”
Several survivors also came forward, bravely sharing their stories. One participant expressed her dismay with the ongoing violence: “When is it going to stop? It just keeps getting worse.”
Law enforcement officials monitored the event, ensuring the march remained peaceful.
No major incidents were reported, and participants praised the professionalism and support shown by the police.
“Today was a statement,” said one participant.
“But real change needs to follow. We cannot stop at mourning, we must act.”
United in grief, anger, and determination, the East London community sent a powerful, unwavering message: enough is enough.
