Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye has issued a powerful call to action to the communities of the Vhembe District, urging them to break the deep-rooted culture of silence that continues to enable gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the region. Speaking at a community engagement event in Nyavani on Tuesday, Mathye implored residents to speak out against abuse, report incidents to the authorities, and stand in solidarity with survivors.
“Too many women and children are suffering in silence because they fear being shamed, stigmatised, or not believed,” Mathye said. “It is time for us to say enough is enough. If you see something, say something. If you know someone is being abused, help them. Report it to the police, to a councillor, to a traditional leader—do not look away.” Her message was met with applause and nods of agreement from the crowd, which included community leaders, youth groups, and representatives from civil society organisations.
Mathye also emphasised the critical role that men must play in ending GBVF, calling on fathers, brothers, and sons to challenge harmful patriarchal norms and hold one another accountable. “This is not a women’s issue—it is a human issue. Men must be part of the solution,” she said.
The MEC also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening support services for survivors, including the expansion of victim-friendly rooms at police stations and the establishment of more Thuthuzela Care Centres. She urged survivors to come forward without fear, assuring them that they would be treated with dignity and compassion.
As the community of Vhembe heard the call, the challenge now lies in translating words into action. For Mathye and the survivors she champions, the hope is that this engagement will mark the beginning of a lasting shift—one where silence is no longer the default, and justice is no longer a luxury.
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