Bok captain calls on male athletes to stand up against GBV
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted the onus falls on him and fellow male rugby players to be custodians in the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa.
The Springboks have always been a beacon of hope for the country, bringing joy and jubilation to a nation that was segregated through race prior to 1994 and is now divided by economic inequality.
However, despite their differences, one thing that unites South Africans is their love for the Springboks.
With his powerful platform, Kolisi shared his thoughts from Australia, where the Boks are currently preparing for a Test against the Wallabies.
The captain’s comments come amid renewed concern over gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, including reports surrounding the discovery of nine women’s bodies in the Ekurhuleni area since July.
“First of all, I want to say condolences to all the families that have lost people.
“Not only the ones in the headlines, but there’s many others who also didn’t make the headlines,” Kolisi said.
“I know it’s time, as we always ask people to get behind us, it’s time for the country to also unite behind ending gender-based violence.
“Enough is enough. We all should be angered by what’s happening in our country.
“I think it’s important for me, for the sporting teams in our country, the male sporting teams, to start speaking up about what’s happening.
“Because we’re the first ones to ask the country to get behind us. We should be the first ones being annoyed and angered with what’s happening in our country.
“We need to make sure that we use our platform for good, because we are servants of South Africa.
“And whatever is hurting people in South Africa should be hurting us as well. Because it’s not only young boys that watch me, but also young girls.
“We’ve also got the Springbok Women’s team there.
“Safety depends on me being educated, acting the right way and using my platform the right way.
“So, I just want to encourage everyone in South Africa to unite behind ending gender-based violence, as they unite towards all the sporting teams when they play.
“It’s really important, especially the men’s teams. We’ve got to use our voices more.”
Kolisi added that men need to take greater responsibility for confronting violence against women and children.
“It’s men that are doing the violence in our country and it’s us that should be standing up and asking for help.
“Asking for ways to be educated, to make sure that we are getting better as people.
“So that we don’t have to worry about the safety of the women in our country and the children in our country.”
