Simphiwe Dana on religion, culture and GBV in South Africa

Renowned Afro-soul singer and outspoken activist Simphiwe Dana, is calling for urgent societal introspection, saying religion and culture often play a role in perpetuating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women in South Africa.

Dana says it’s time to engage with traditional, religious, and community structures to challenge harmful norms and bring about meaningful change.

Her comments come as police statistics reveal a grim reality – between July and September 2024, more than 10 women and three children were murdered every day in the country. During the same period, 490 children were victims of attempted murder.

Dana, who has long used her platform to speak out against patriarchy and cultural practices that normalise abuse, says this crisis demands collective action.

Dana elaborates, “Religion and culture also play a big role. In objectifying women and therefore making them prey to violence. Because they are seen as less. There are all of these rules. The women mustn’t do these. And when they do it, it is almost like they put themselves in these situations.

And we did not create these laws. So, we have to have a rethink. When it comes to religion and how we portray women. And also, our different traditional practices. And how they portray women.”