Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is using his platform to call out men for remaining complicit in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
The rugby hero has vowed to join NGO Women For Change in their shutdown protest action on Friday, 21 November. The event will occur on the eve of the G20 Summit, which takes place in Johannesburg next weekend.
SIYA KOLISI CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST GBV
Over the weekend, Siya Kolisi spoke out again about his quest to champion GBV in South Africa.
After the Springboks’ match against Italy, which they won 32-14, the twice-winning World Cup captain encouraged South Africans to ditch their green Bok jerseys to wear purple in support of women.
Ahead of the match, the father of two called on men in particular to stand up for women and take responsibility for their actions.
He said: “Men don’t usually support it….but don’t wait until it’s someone in your own family for you to take action. We all have a responsibility.
“We are divided, we can’t even look after women. I don’t have all the answers, I’m not perfect. I’ve made so many mistakes. But, I’m willing to learn. It’s my responsibility to make sure I use my platform to help other people.
He added: “Women have raised me, looked after me and made me the man I am today”.
‘IF YOU DON’T SAY ANYTHING, YOU CONDONE IT’
As co-founder of the NGO Kolisi Foundation, Siya Kolisi is a strong advocate against GBV.
He has also spoken openly about how his late mother, Phakama, was also a victim of abuse.
“If you don’t say anything, you condone it. If somebody’s doing something to somebody else, I need to say something or else I’m supporting it”, Siya, a father of two, said about men taking accountability for their actions.
He later told 702: “As men, we have to have these uncomfortable conversations and listen to women. Because we can’t be part of the solution when at the same time we are also part of the problem.”
