By: Lungisa Somtombo
A perpetrator of gender-based violence against women, that was arrested and sentenced to life in prison after he and his eight friends gang-raped a woman warned scores of men against gender-based violence.
This happened at the Men’s Indaba done by the Department of Education at Abbotsford Christian Centre yesterday.
Addressing scores of men who attended the Indaba, Mkhululi Luningo said he spent 19 years in jail and is still under correctional services supervision as he still signs every day. He pleaded with men to stop violence against women as it is wrong and destroys women.
Rape victim Sandisiwe Ngcaku (18) said after the rape she wanted to end her life but heard her mother praying for her while crying and she decided to her change and be strong.
“I no longer see myself as a victim but as a survivor and voice of the voiceless because I was fortunate enough to survive,” she said.
Department of Education Superintendent General Themba Kojana said the department with different stakeholders gathered together to answer the question of what must be done to end gender-based violence against women and children.
“We have decided to call Moral Regeneration Movement, House of Traditional Leaders, Inkolo Kantu and Sonke Gender Justice to come and develop a plan on what must be done to root out GBV,” he said.
Further, Kojana said they want to move away from the intention to do and start doing something.
He added that the problem is that men have abandoned their responsibilities and want to take shortcuts. Men are no longer role models.
“Men should stop pointing fingers and saying it’s not them. They should stop those who are abusing women, you would find men sitting in places they are not supposed to be and you ask yourself who is taking care of their families” said Kojana.
Speaking to men on the importance of tradition, Inkolo Kantu Traditional Movement Spokesperson and Motivational Speaker Loyiso Nqevu said a man who abuses women is not a man.
“Manhood is not going through initiation, manhood is not using strength to hurt, manhood is to protect, being trustworthy, being loved and taking care of your family,” Said Nqevu.
He further said that when a man feels like he is angry and cannot continue arguing with a woman, he should walk away and come back to address the issue with dignity, without using violence.