As 2025 comes to a close, the winter sun begins to fade away, inviting in the heat of summer, the women of South Africa mourn. Since April 2023, the gender based violence rates have risen 33.8% compared to the previous years, and as we move into 2025, there have been no drastic changes. The femicide in South Africa is only getting worse, with 95% of rape cases not even being reported. In times like these, we turn our heads to organisations such as Women for Change.

On October 29th of this year, Women for Change called for a national shutdown on November 21st, the day before the G20 meeting was to be hosted in Johannesburg. Over the past three weeks, Women for Change has successfully collected one million signatures and garnered massive support from within South Africa and internationally. The shutdown has created many ripples, sparking much-needed conversations among the country’s youth.

Following along the journey from the beginning, the solidarity amongst South Africans brings warmth to my heart. Looking not only at what the down south community has managed to form together, but also at the businesses and schools that are participating in the shutdown. 

Women for Change has awoken something in the citizens of South Africa. On November 13th, Deep South Walk for Women was founded, walking in solidarity with Women for Change to raise awareness and encourage people to discuss the shutdown scheduled for November 21st.

This walk was about more than just standing together, but it is also about using the anger and helplessness we feel and putting them to good use.

By wearing purple on Tuesday, the 18th, we raised awareness about the shutdown that is scheduled to begin on the 21st. 

I went to the walk that was being hosted on the morning of the 18th. Joining the crowd as we walked on Simon’s town road, the wind was piercing. The waves next to us seemed to be crashing in solidarity with us, the mountainside speckled with pink flowers, and the crowd full of purple.

The slow repetition of the wind in my ears and the cars driving next to us created a rhythm as we continued the stretch through Fish Hoek. Walking along the main road, now and then, cars would honk and wave. Showing their solidarity for not just us, but the rest of the women in South Africa.

Organisations like Women for Change help re-ignite our hope. It is important that even as the 21st of November passes us by, we must remember that this is just the beginning. Creating communities such as Deep South Walk for Women is a way to keep the conversation circling.

Even when we begin to feel hopeless and our voices feel lost, there is always something we can do, whether that means talking with the people in your life, signing a petition, or even sharing a post, there is always something we can do.