President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma for confronting gender-based violence. The president highlighted the sporting leaders during his national address on Tuesday, 29 September.
Ramaphosa used the address to call on South African men to reject silence. He urged them to challenge harmful behaviour whenever they encounter it.
“It is time for good men to stop being silent men,” Ramaphosa said.
The president also stressed that men must become active voices against violence. He said this responsibility extends beyond famous athletes and public figures.
Ramaphosa highlights Kolisi and Bavuma
Ramaphosa specifically recognised the influence of Kolisi and Bavuma. Both captains command significant platforms through their roles in South African sport. Kolisi leads the Springboks, while Bavuma captains the Proteas. Ramaphosa said their public messages could encourage other men to act.
“We salute the many South African men, and there are many, who are already speaking out, including prominent figures such as Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma,” he said.
He said the pair had encouraged men to confront violence against women. He also said they were urging men to “become better men”.
However, Ramaphosa said the discussion must reach ordinary communities. He pointed to homes, workplaces, sports clubs and universities. He also mentioned churches, taxis, taverns and family gatherings. The president then challenged men to confront abusive behaviour directly.
“Challenge the friend who humiliates his partner. Challenge the colleague who harasses women at work. Challenge the relative who abuses his wife or girlfriend.”
Ramaphosa said women should not carry this responsibility alone.
“The women of South Africa should not have to fight gender-based violence alone,” he said. “The men of South Africa must stand up and fight it with them.”
We salute the many South African men who are already speaking out, including prominent figures such as Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma, who have used their public platforms to urge men to confront violence against women and to become better men.
That conversation must take place…
— Cyril Ramaphosa
(@CyrilRamaphosa) September 29, 2026
Ramaphosa rejects excuses for violence against women
Ramaphosa also rejected arguments that shift blame onto victims. “Responsibility for violence always belongs to the person who commits it, never the victim,” he said. He stressed that abuse cannot be justified by clothing, arguments or relationships.
“No argument justifies assault. No relationship gives one person ownership over another.”
The president also addressed violence following rejected advances or broken relationships.
“No rejection should justify violence. And no man has the right to take the life of a woman because she chooses to leave him.”
Ramaphosa said women should also feel safe during ordinary daily activities.
“We owe every woman and girl in South Africa a country in which she does not have to calculate where she may walk, what time she may travel, what she may wear, whom she may trust and whether saying no will put her in life danger,” he said.
His address followed renewed concern over killings in and around Ekurhuleni. The Presidency has also acknowledged the urgency surrounding those investigations. Ramaphosa admitted that previous efforts had not achieved enough.
“What we have done has not been enough,” he said.
He also instructed the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture to strengthen the Moral Regeneration Movement. The initiative must help challenge attitudes and practices that enable violence. Ramaphosa further recognised community and faith-based organisations already doing this work. He called for stronger mobilisation ahead of the annual 16 Days campaign.
“Let us use those 16 days to mobilise a formidable social movement,” Ramaphosa said.
The president ended with a warning about repeating the same national conversation.
“Seven years from now, no President of the Republic should have to stand before this nation and say the same words again.”
He called for action rather than continued condemnation.
“Not to simply mourn, not simply to condemn, but to act, and to keep acting until every woman in South Africa and every girl can live in freedom and dignity and safety.”
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