FREE STATE DSD IMPLEMENTS 90-DAY GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE CAMPAIGN

By Thembile Nqabeni.

• The Free State Department of Social Development is committed to facing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide head-on.
• ⁠“We will not be silenced,” says the MEC for Social Development, Mathabo Hlalele.
• Mangaung Metro has been identified as a hotspot, with 504 reported cases.

The Free State Department of Social Development, under the leadership of MEC Mathabo Hlalele, is leading a comprehensive 90-day programme of action to address the apartheid legacy of broken family units caused by the migrant labour system.

In April this year, a special Justice, Crime Prevention and Security ministerial meeting reflected on the magnitude of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa and resolved to tackle the “pandemic” through increasing communication, awareness and community mobilisation – facing head-on those who violate women and children.

On 14 May 2025, the Cabinet approved a 90-day programme to create a visible awareness campaign focusing on social cohesion and parenting, as well as seeking economic sector participation and community mobilisation.

The Free State, under the leadership of Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, appointed a provincial gender-based violence and femicide cohort to take the battle to the streets and mobilise every man, woman and child to join in this battle.

“We will shout the loudest in condemnation of gender-based violence and femicide,” says Hlalele.

This was necessary because, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring gender-based violence and femicide a second pandemic, the country continues to register an unprecedented increase in violence against women and children.

In the Free State, the Mangaung Metro has been identified as a hotspot, with 504 reported cases.

“From deep inside her grave, Machaka Radebe is crying out against gender-based violence, which cost her her precious life,” the MEC said.

“So are Mpho Moalusi, Olorota Mongalo, Bongiwe PhuLampa, and many other victims of gender-based violence and femicide in our province. These women lost their lives because some cowards felt that they had the power to decide their fate.”

MEC Hlalele added: “Not even the haunting, desperate cries of the victims begging for their lives could dissuade their attackers from sparing their lives.”

Senseless acts of violence against defenceless women and children had left an indelible stain not only on the province, but the country as a whole, she added.

“We have, unfortunately, earned the shameful label of a nation that casually murders its women and children,” Hlalele said.

Describing South Africa as a nation in need of help, Hlalele recalled the death of 19-year-old Puleng Motlodi of Thaba Nchu, whose body was found in a pit latrine.

Hlalele described the perpetrators as being driven by misplaced rage, a seemingly deep hatred of women, driven by uncontrollable, sick urges, and a disregard for human life.

“Despite the challenges which confront us daily, I refuse to give up on our beautiful country. I believe that this country, the one that I and many others fought for, will cleanse itself of all the evil that it is grappling with,” Hlalele said.

“We will not be silenced. We will scream out with Olorato Mongale and all victims of gender-based violence and femicide, and our voices will be heard.”