The event was hosted at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Friday, 16 January 2026 and was hosted by comedian and actor, Siv Ngesi, a passionate ambassador in the fight against GBV in South Africa. The Woman in Leadership portfolio within EMD ensured that as many male and female staff from the City’s Nature Reserves to the EMD administration attended and heard about the help that is available to any victim of GBV and how the City can assist.

South Africa’s GBV rates are among the highest in the world; and our femicide rates are significantly above the global average. GBV continues to devastate our city. City data for example shows that more than 4 800 domestic violence-related cases were reported at police stations between January and March last year. This figure represents only reported cases—meaning the real scale is far greater. The time for collective courage and action is now. 
 
‘While many men condemn gender-based violence privately, far too few take public action or lend their voices to change the culture, which allows it to persist. We believe that the voices of the many respectful male staff members at the City who are grounded in integrity, has the power to help reshape the conversation around GBV. In South Africa today, more than one-third of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, equating to millions of women who carry the burden of trauma every single day. These numbers are not abstract, these are our daughters, our sisters and our mothers, bearing harm that could and should have been prevented. Too often we respond after harm has occurred, however victims deserve systems that respond with seriousness and urgency.

‘We believe that we must confront the things which produces GBV, be it entitlement, power imbalances, harmful norms, and unaddressed trauma. These matters are not excuses for violence but when it is not dealt with, it can manifest in behaviour that dehumanises others and normalises harm. We do not tolerate entitlement, harassment or intimidation within our departments and try our best to monitor our workplaces and encourage the reporting of such unacceptable behaviour,’ said the City’s Deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Through portfolios such as the Woman in Leadership portfolio, the City tries to create as much awareness among staff about the support structures available to them via the Employee Assistance Programme.

‘This conversation is not about blaming men. It is about protecting people, because the moment safety becomes negotiable, culture has already failed. This is not about attacking good men. It is about calling good men into responsibility. Their influence matters, in their teams, workplaces, families, and peer groups. Behaviour shifts fastest when it is challenged by those closest to it.  Silence on the matter is not neutral, it is a behaviour and good men are not protected by silence, they are protected by accountability and clear boundaries,’ said Lieutenant Colonel Basil May, South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

‘We need to protect our staff vigorously and make sure that everyone knows about the support that is available. We need to intervene early in homes and workplaces before it is too late,’ said Andrews

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office