Johannesburg – Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has called for concrete action to tackle South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis, saying men must play a bigger role in confronting violence against women.
Speaking at the Temba Bavuma Foundation’s 10th anniversary golf day, Bavuma said the recent killings of women had created fear in households and that discussions about gender-based violence were no longer enough.
“It’s scary man, it’s not a good state of affairs,” Bavuma said, according to SABC Sport.
He said men were failing in their responsibility to protect women and called for a more systematic response.
“So, I think a lot needs to be done systematically, more than just conversations that are happening,” Bavuma said.
His comments came after a series of killings in Ekurhuleni, where the bodies of at least nine women were discovered in separate incidents over several weeks.
The killings triggered protests and memorial events, with activists demanding stronger action against gender-based violence. Investigators have been examining whether the deaths are connected.
‘We have failed as men’
Bavuma also described the crisis as personal, saying fear had reached his own home.
“I got home yesterday. My Mrs she had a taser gun,” he said, adding that the incident showed him “the fear and the panic that our females have”.
Bavuma questioned whether enough was being done to change attitudes towards gender-based violence.
“GBV was declared a national crisis. But what needs to be done to really shift the mindsets of our people?” he said, according to The Citizen.
Bavuma acknowledged traditional expectations that men should be providers but said: “I think we are failing there.”
His remarks echo those of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who recently urged South African men to confront their role in the crisis.
“We are the problem here and we need help — and we need help urgently,” Kolisi said, according to IOL.
Kolisi also called for action beyond public statements, saying: “Let’s do more than just talk. We need action.”
Government response
The renewed calls from sporting figures come as government faces mounting pressure to strengthen its response to GBV and femicide.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that government would deploy more money, resources and technology to combat violence against women.
“We’re going to even be deploying more money, more resources, more technology,” Ramaphosa said, according to TimesLIVE.
He said an interministerial committee was preparing additional initiatives and stressed that GBV was a national crisis rather than an issue affecting women alone.
“Gender-based violence is not only a problem for women, it’s a national crisis and we need to be treating it as that,” Ramaphosa said.
Cricket South Africa has also previously used its platform to campaign against GBV through its annual Black Day initiative, which aims to raise awareness of violence against women and children.
Bavuma’s call adds to growing pressure on men, sporting leaders and authorities to move beyond awareness campaigns and take practical steps to prevent violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
