The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign is in full swing. “Nobody wants to be abused,” says Rebecca Shabangu of Kaizer Chiefs’ supporters branch in Orange Farm. “It’s a violation committed against an individual. I say, ‘Choose love and peace instead’.”

This year’s 16 Days Campaign is held under the theme, ‘#HearMeToo: End Violence against Women and Children!’ and will continue until 10 December 2018.

Of course, the campaign should not be seen as a stand-alone event, it’s a year-long, 356 day-long programme.

Kaizer Chiefs’ ethos is ‘Love & Peace’ and it’s therefore no wonder that the campaign resonates with the club’s female supporters.

“There is far too much violence in South Africa and we need to stand together to put an end to that,” adds Shabangu. “I am really concerned about children without parents as they are extremely vulnerable to abuse.”

Mabuntu Kondile is from Amakhosi’s supporters branch in Libanon, Gauteng. “Women and children abuse must come to an end. It’s time that men change their attitude - men should love their women and children, as much as they love themselves.”

The message of Shabangu and Kondile is supported by Joyce Hlanele, who is from the QwaQwa branch. She comments, “I don’t want to feel threatened. Instead, I would like to have the freedom to be me without being judged or criticised or hurt or abused.”

Hlanele also had a special advice for men: “Please guys, make us proud. I am begging you, don’t abuse women and children.”