South African men’s groups push for behavioral change amid femicide crisis
In Johannesburg, a non-profit called Father A Nation is organizing men in informal settlements to confront violence against women. The initiative follows the discovery of 12 female bodies in Ekurhuleni, which has intensified national outrage. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new safety measures, critics argue these are insufficient. The group focuses on teaching positive masculinity and holding men accountable for their actions, aiming to prevent future violence by changing male behavior at the community level.
Key points
- Twelve women were found dead in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg, over three months, reigniting fears about gender-based violence.
- Father A Nation, a non-profit founded by Craig Wilkinson, holds meetings in informal settlements like Organic Market to engage men in discussions about violence.
- Participants, such as Kgomotso Mathekga, acknowledge past aggressive behavior and express regret, citing a lack of positive male role models in their communities.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted the government has not done enough and announced measures including better street lighting and reviews of unsolved cases.
- Critics, including project coordinator Zizipho Mtwesi, argue that government responses are too late and insufficient, emphasizing the need for proactive community engagement.
- South Africa recorded 5,427 murders between April and June this year, with 569 of those victims being women, averaging six per day.
Background
This development follows a series of earlier reports in September 2026 detailing the discovery of multiple female bodies in the Ekurhuleni area. Previous coverage highlighted public protests, demands for better forensic facilities, and criticism of government safety measures that placed the burden on women to alter their routines. The current situation reflects a continued struggle with high femicide rates, which the UN notes are among the highest in the world.
Why it matters
The crisis highlights the systemic nature of violence against women in South Africa and the limitations of top-down government solutions. Community-led initiatives that target male behavior and accountability offer a potential alternative approach to reducing violence. The ongoing fear among women, who report feeling unsafe in public spaces, underscores the urgent need for effective, sustained interventions that address the root causes of gender-based violence rather than just its symptoms.
What to watch
The focus will likely remain on the effectiveness of community-based programs like Father A Nation in changing male behavior. There will be continued scrutiny of the government's new safety measures and their impact on reducing violence. The unresolved nature of the Ekurhuleni murders, with police not yet confirming a serial killer, may lead to further public anxiety and demands for accountability.
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