Silence on GBV: Springboks, Sports Stars Face Fiery Criticism!

South Africa is grappling with a severe gender-based violence (GBV) crisis, brought into sharp focus by the horrifying discovery of nine sexually assaulted and murdered women in and around the Kempton Park area. In the wake of these tragic events, national sports teams and their captains, with the notable exception of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, have faced widespread criticism for their perceived silence on this endemic issue.

Radio personality Cindy Poluta vocalized this growing discontent in a video posted on Facebook, questioning why South African men, particularly those with significant public platforms, have remained largely inactive in the fight against GBV. Poluta observed that while many women are expressing outrage and men are reposting content, there is a distinct lack of prominent male voices actively speaking out, making videos, or publicly declaring their anger over the crisis. She underscored the critical role of sports in the nation, stating, "Sports defines…ignites…and unites a nation. You have the biggest reach," yet platforms like the Springboks, Bafana, Proteas, and top PSL clubs have remained conspicuously silent on what she termed "the crisis in our country."

Poluta drew a stark contrast between the national motto, "It’s been drummed into our heads ‘No DNA, just RSA’," and the grim reality that "our women are dying." She argued that these influential sports bodies, with their unparalleled access to the male population, are not using their platforms to demand change. Her poignant message warned of the consequences of inaction, suggesting that an outcry only comes "until it’s your mother that went for a run, or your sister that went to a Post Office to collect something and never came back."

Amidst this critique, two prominent Springboks have taken a definitive stand against GBV: captain Siya Kolisi and player Cheslin Kolbe. Through their respective foundations, both athletes have publicly condemned gender-based violence and issued a strong call for authorities to take decisive action. Kolbe's foundation powerfully articulated the human cost of the crisis, emphasizing that "Every statistic represents a name, a family, a life interrupted by violence that should never have happened."

The statement from Kolbe's foundation further highlighted that "South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis isn’t an abstract problem, but it’s daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends who deserve to move through the world without fear." Crucially, it challenged the societal norm of burdening women with their own safety, asserting, "We can’t keep placing the burden of safety on women alone. It’s time to stop asking women to be careful, and start demanding that South Africa be safer." This clear message from influential sports figures offers a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing silence, advocating for collective responsibility and tangible change in the face of a national emergency.