An opinion piece published on 22 March 2026 highlights how, nearly 30 years after South Africa's Constitution promised dignity and equality, many women continue to face violence. It references the murder of Shila in Limpopo and urges action from government, civil society and the private sector.
South Africa's Constitution, signed by Nelson Mandela on 10 December 1996, includes strong protections against gender-based violence. Justice Albie Sachs noted that it features rights against such violence under the freedom clause and requires non-sexism. Sections 9, 10 and 12 cover equality, dignity and freedom from violence, respectively. Yet, the opinion by Tandi Nzimande, CEO of the GBVF Response Fund, argues these promises remain unfulfilled for many women. She cites the case of Shila, a mother of two murdered by her partner in April 2025 in Mzombane, Mokopane, Limpopo. Shila's children had to relocate to their grandmother's distant village, disrupting their education and finances. UN Women data shows a woman murdered every three hours in South Africa, with femicide rates five times the global average. Between July and September 2024, 957 women were killed and over 10,000 rapes reported. In November 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared GBVF a national disaster at the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg, following a campaign by Women for Change with over one million signatures. This invokes the Disaster Management Act for better coordination. Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike stated: “Patriarchy is a human crisis, not merely a women’s issue.” A 2014 KPMG study estimated GBVF costs at R28-billion to R42-billion yearly, or up to 1.3% of GDP. Since 2021, the GBVF Response Fund has raised over R280-million, aiding nearly one million people and 200 organisations. The piece, timed for Human Rights Day 2026 with theme “Bill of Rights at 30: Making human dignity real”, calls for sustained multisectoral efforts.
