Chief Justice Raymond Zondo Calls for Action Against Gender-Based Violence
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has emphasized the urgent need to address gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. During his acceptance speech of an honorary doctorate from the University of South Africa (Unisa), Zondo described GBV as an ugly part of the country’s 30 years of democracy. He urged the nation to take action in the next seven months to ensure that the measures in place effectively combat this scourge. Referring to the heart-wrenching cases of Uyinene Mrwetyana and Nosicelo Mtebeni, he emphasized that GBV is not just a statistic, but a painful reality faced by individuals, families, and communities.
Zondo further highlighted that tackling GBV requires unwavering commitment and seriousness. He called on South Africans to engage in self-reflection and work towards protecting and strengthening their democracy as the country enters its fourth decade of democracy. This reflection should involve identifying and rectifying past failures, as well as acknowledging and addressing the ugly side of society.
The honorary doctorate was conferred on Zondo, who serves as the Chief Justice and a Constitutional Court Justice, in recognition of his significant contribution to the legal profession in South Africa. Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya will also receive an honorary doctorate for her contributions.
Unisa expressed pride in Zondo’s achievements, highlighting that he utilized the training he received as a former student and alumni to enrich the legal fraternity not only in South Africa but also on a global scale.
The call to action against GBV from such a prominent figure highlights the critical need for immediate measures to eradicate this pervasive issue. The South African society must unite to address GBV comprehensively, ensuring that the next decade holds a future free from violence and discrimination against women and girls.
Keywords: Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, gender-based violence, honorary doctorate, University of South Africa, Unisa, democracy, Uyinene Mrwetyana, Nosicelo Mtebeni, self-reflection, South Africa, Constitutional Court, honorary doctorate, legal profession, eradication of gender-based violence.
