1000 Women Trust’s powerful trauma volunteer training course is scaling new heights – reaches milestone of 20000
Uyinene Mrewetyana-march and 1000 Women Trust’s continuous work in communities
The annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial March is proving to have a profound positive impact on the ground, particularly in shifting attitudes among men and young boys.
On Saturday 23rd August 2025, Staff and students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and other institutions; pupils, staff, and members of the public braved cold and rainy weather to take part in the anti-gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) walk. The march stretched from Darling Street, near the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, to Parliament.
This year’s theme, “Reimagining Safety: Developing the Boy Child as Catalysts for Change”, was chosen to highlight the role of nurturing, educating, and empowering boys as part of building a safer society for all. The march was organised by the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UMF), in partnership with UCT and organisations such as Langa For Men. (Source: University of Cape Town news, 26th August 2025).
The event honoured the memory of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana, a UCT student who was raped and murdered by postal worker Luyanda Botha at the Clareinch Post Office in 2019, as well as all victims of GBVF. Popular artist Zolani Mahola moved the crowd with a powerful performance.
Leading the march were Uyinene’s mother, Noma Mrwetyana; UCT Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness Professor Elelwani Ramugondo; and former Western Cape MEC for Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, among others.
While GBV cases increase, efforts like the Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial March are making a positive impact.
Although the pain of Uyinene’s death remains, her mother said she has witnessed signs of change. A traffic officer told her that Uyinene’s story brought him closer to his daughter, who is at university. (Source: University of Cape Town news, 26th August 2025).
“So, change is happening on the ground. We may not see it, but in the minds of men there is some change in how they view young girls and how they raise their children. There are many women who have been saved because of Uyinene’s passing. We are saying no other woman must go through what she went through.”
Addressing the marchers, Professor Ramugondo rooted her call to action in South Africa’s history and collective responsibility.
“You can’t live when you have harmed a woman because land is incubated within these very bodies. We’re not talking about physical death … you exist only in flesh, but you are gone. You are no longer a human being in the sense of ubuntu. When a woman’s body becomes a weapon of war in a country that is otherwise not at war, something is broken.”
Tina Thiart, cofounder of 1000 Women Trust, said the violent death of Uyinene Mrwetyana sparked a national uproar and demands from women-led organization for change which led to the first presidential summit against gender-based violence and femicide.
1000 Women Trust has been at the forefront of the campaign to change the hearts and minds of toddlers, teenagers and men through its Talking to Boys-campaign, a campaign that is ongoing.
“But we are also equipping communities to deal with the avalanche of gender-based violence through our GBV-Warriors who, at safe rooms, create safe spaces for women who were subjected to gender-based violence. Our quest to equip 52 safe rooms with resources where our GBV-Warriors can assist affected women and children, are continuing,” Thiart said.
1000 Women Trust collaborate with Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and women-led groups to raise awareness and support survivors of GBV. Our belief: with access to knowledge, skills, and resources, women can find their own solutions. We advocate for gender equality in our communities.
For more information, contact the Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone on 061-4690479.









