Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is using his influence to spotlight the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa. In a video shared by @QuilterNations on X, Kolisi appealed to South Africans to swap their traditional green Friday attire for purple on November 21 in a show of solidarity.
“Next week Friday, you know women are in trouble and kids are in trouble… I think we can change [from green] to purple to stand with our women,” said Kolisi.
The call aligns with an initiative from Women for Change, which launched the ‘Purple Movement’ to raise awareness and call for GBVF to be declared a national disaster. Supporters are encouraged to wear purple and change their profile pictures online in support. Additionally, wearing black is urged as a symbol of mourning and resistance.
Public figures including Bonang Matheba, Zozibini Tunzi-Bolowana, Tyla, and Grace Mondlana have already joined the movement, helping it gain international momentum with engagement from content creators across the US, UK, Botswana, and Ethiopia.
Despite the alarming statistics — with South Africa’s femicide rate being six times the global average and recent figures showing a 33.8% increase — the National Disaster Management Centre has declined to declare GBVF a national disaster. However, the petition by Women for Change has garnered over 1 million signatures, reflecting strong public demand for change.
