The Democratic Alliance Midrand Constituency gathered in the streets of Kaalfontein to protest against gender-based violence on 14 September.
The protest was organised by councillors Julie Sudaby, Nicole Rahn, Lerato Mphefo, Annette Deppe and John Mendelsohn alongside 30 activists, following the
20 000-person march that took place in Cape Town.
DA Member of Parliament Madeleine Hicklin said, “As the Midrand Constituency, we are extremely aware of the high levels of violence experienced by women, children and the LGBTQ+ communities in South Africa as a whole, but within our region in particular. Women and children are at greatest risk, whether in their own homes or on the streets.
“Our call to President Cyril Ramaphosa is simple, #EnoughIsEnough. We are tired of empty promises while the most vulnerable in society are raped, beaten and murdered, often at the hands of people they know.
“We want protection and action now. We are tired of commissions of enquiry and talks about talks.”
Hicklin also circulated a petition for signing which will be handed over to parliament.
She said that one of the sad, but interesting, lessons learned from the exercise was that a significant number of older men who saw the protest stopped their cars and came over to sign their petition, but that regrettably, very few youth were bothered to do so.
Hicklin continued, “The other fact that was very evident was how few women were willing to give us their details and sign the petition. Many simply refused. That was the most terrifying part of the exercise.
“Did they not sign because they were scared of retaliation, or did they not see gender-based violence as the evil it is? Have we become so used to ‘institutional abuse’ that this has become the norm?”
Local residents who would like to sign the petition or get involved in any other initiatives are urged to contact their local DA councillor for more information.
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