By Nonceba Ravuku

A number of people gathered to participate in the #NotInMyName march against gender based violence at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus to Regina Mundi Church. There were more than 500 people who participated in the march. Various church leaders, organisations and Government departments were visible and making noise against Gender Based Violence.

Faith communities were also visible in their various church uniforms. I was there to represent Thursdays in Black and We Will Speak Out SA. Bishop Adams officiated the Soweto #NotInMyName march.

MEC for Community Safety: Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane and Minister Susan Shabangu were also part of the march.

The marchers chanted, ‘Not in my name’, with many thrusting their clenched fists towards the sky. Men were on the forefront holding banners and standing up against the brutality against women in our communities.

Organisers of the event said all women who had been attacked and killed by men would not be forgotten, and that their names would not be buried with their bodies, but remembered as the powerful women they were.

The #NotInMyName campaign could become a non-profit organisation in order to start helping all women who are marred by the violence of men in South Africa.