The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga, and the premier of Mpumalanga, Mandla Ndlovu, will lead the national launch of the Positive Masculinity Campaign in Mpumalanga on Friday, 23 October 2026, under the theme “Real Men and Boys Build, Protect and Transform.
The launch will take place in Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality and will bring together government, community leaders, men and boys, civil society organisations, pastoral fraternity and traditional leaders to promote positive masculinity and strengthen collective action to prevent and end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 09:00-13:00
Venue: El-Shaddai Tabernacle Ermelo, 68 Vrede St, Ermelo, 2351
The campaign will promote responsible masculinities, positive role modelling, respect for women and girls, and the active participation of men and boys in preventing GBVF within families, communities and society at large. The launch forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen GBVF prevention, promote behaviour change and mobilise communities to build safer and more inclusive environments for all.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) quarterly crime statistics for the Gert Sibande District Municipality in Mpumalanga: Rape Cases (Q1 / April–June 2026): SAPS recorded 223 rape cases across the 36 police precincts in the district during April–June 2026, which is an increase of 10.4% compared to the 202 rape cases recorded during the same period (April–June 2025).
Enquiries:
Mr Cassius Selala
Head of Communication
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Cell: 060 534 0672
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