The life of Uyinene Mrwetyana was commemorated in a unity walk against gender-based violence (GBV) on Saturday.

Students and staff from UCT, along with activists from the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UMF), Langa For Men and Langa For Women were among those who took part in the walk from Darling Street, in District Six, to Parliament.

UMF managing director Thobeka Msengana said the organisation’s goal was to honour the life of Uyinene by offering various youth development programmes.

“We have the youth programmes in rural schools where we target young girls and women, to educate them about consent, and how to identify if someone is being abusive and help schools develop structures where pupils can report GBV incidents.”

Uyinene, a 19-year-old UCT student, was raped and murdered by postal employee Luyanda Botha at the Clareinch post office in 2019 (“Student’s murder causes uproar,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, September 5, 2019).

The Western Cape High Court handed Botha three life sentences for rape and murder and five years for defeating the ends of justice (“Three life sentences for Uyinene’s murderer,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, November 21).

Uyinene’s mother, Nomangwane Mrwetyana, came from Eastern Cape to join the march. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Uyinene’s mother, Nomangwane Mrwetyana, who came from the Eastern Cape to join the walk, said the past five years had not been easy.

“We have to find a way to soldier on as this is our plight. We made a commitment to fight against GBV, which we continue through the legacy of Uyinene.”

Ms Mrwetyana said the fight against GBV was a collective responsibility.

“Let’s eliminate fear and ensure we create safe and secure spaces, whether in the workplace, schools and university campus.”

UCT deputy vice-chancellor for transformation, student affairs and social responsiveness Professor Elelwani Ramugondo said: “We must refuse to normalise GBV and femicide, and instead normalise safety and security for everyone, particularly women, young people, disabled people, members of the LGBTQ+ community and the elderly.”

UCT’s vision was to “unleash human potential for a fair and just society”, she said, adding that safety was a right, not a privilege.

Nomvuyo Ngesman and Sisipho Manitshana from Rosebank. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Langa For Men’s Luyolo Lengisi said everyone should be part of the fight against GBV.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that we take part in fighting GBV. It’s not just civil society’s responsibility. Violence does not have an agenda, we are all affected by violence.”

Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, the executive director of the Mosaic Training Service and Healing Centre, said: “We must all stand against GBV. It is not just an organisation’s responsibility, but an individual and community responsibility to stand together, whether it is young people, old people, people in government, business leaders, we all need to come together.”

Justice Desk Africa representative Chelsea Jones said: “We as an organisation are eager to continue to make our voices heard and hopefully be able to start a revolution against a huge topic that affects all of us.”

A number of youth joined the march in memory of Uyinene Mrwetyana. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Samuel Jali and Siyamthanda Pauli from Rosebank with Someleze Madolo from Rondebosch. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Serine Hamilton, from Observatory, makes a placard in remembrance of Uyinene Mrwetyana. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Ellie Jewell from Claremont, Layla Martin from Rondebosch and Chloé farmer from Rosebank. Picture: Tamlynne Thompson

Langa For Men’s Luyolo Lengisi speaking at the event.

From left are Mosaic Training Service and Healing Centre members Chantal Meyer, Merl Swartz, Pat Bente and Nonyameko Jikwana.

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Hundreds march in memory of Uyinene