Celebrities Unite Behind ‘Women for Change’ Shutdown Movement Against GBV

By Venecia Valentine

Local celebrities are rallying behind the ‘Women for Change’ nationwide shutdown, scheduled to take place on 21 November across South Africa.

The women’s rights advocacy movement is calling for gender-based violence (GBV) to be declared a national disaster, urging South Africans to take collective action against the country’s ongoing epidemic of violence against women and members of the LGBTQI+ community.

A Movement Turning Purple

Momentum is building rapidly online, with hundreds of supporters changing their profile pictures to purple or posting purple hearts to show solidarity.

Among those showing support are some of South Africa’s biggest names — J’Something, Siv Ngesi, Bonang Matheba, Mel Jones, Tyla, DJ Zinhle, and Nomzamo Mbatha — all using their platforms to amplify the message.

The Women for Change Shutdown calls on women, LGBTQI+ citizens, and allies to pause work, school, and daily activities on Friday, 21 November, to demonstrate the economic and social impact of women’s absence — and to demand more decisive government action on GBV and femicide.

Men Urged to Join the Fight

Speaking to Inbound SA, actor and activist Siv Ngesi said the movement must include men if it’s to create lasting change.

“I feel like this movement also needs to be targeted to men as well and not only women. Men should support where they can and align and be allies. Women can’t beat this fight without men. Men need to get their hands dirty and be involved throughout the protest.”

‘Leadership Needs to Step In’ — J’Something

Musician J’Something also voiced his support after learning about the campaign from his wife, Cordelia ‘Coco’ da Fonseca.

In a heartfelt Instagram video, he called for urgent national action:

“Women’s safety in our country is something that we can’t keep ignoring and it’s something that needs to be addressed by you and I — but more importantly by the leaders of this country. Leadership needs to step in.

“It’s not about the purple profile pictures; it’s about seeing that and actually figuring it out like I have. In South Africa, every single day, women are being attacked, abused, and killed.

“Every single day — not Tuesdays, every single day. Nine thousand rapes were reported in the last three months. Almost one in three women has experienced physical violence in her lifetime.”

A Call for National Accountability

Through the shutdown, Women for Change hopes to spark a deeper conversation about safety, justice, and equality. The movement’s organisers believe that meaningful reform requires not only public solidarity but also government accountability and policy change.

As purple floods social media timelines, South Africans are being reminded that change begins with awareness — but must end with action.