Turning personal loss into a fight against gun violence

Gun violence is a deeply personal issue for Stanley Maphosa, whose nephew lost his life in the 2020 Diepkloof tavern shooting in Soweto. As CEO of Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), Maphosa brings both professional expertise and a personal connection to the fight against gun-related violence in South Africa. GFSA's work is grounded in evidence and the experiences of communities across the country.

Maphosa emphasizes that gun violence is not just a public safety issue, but also affects public health, youth development, gender-based violence, femicide, and community well-being. He acknowledges the gap between public outrage and the willingness to take difficult actions to prevent gun violence. Measures such as effective licensing, safe storage, tracing and recovery of illegal firearms, and accountability when systems fail are all necessary components of a comprehensive prevention strategy.

The challenges Maphosa faces are vast, as gun violence intersects with organized crime, extortion, taxi violence, political killings, kidnapping, trafficking, and everyday interpersonal conflicts. The role of firearms in turning social conflicts and misunderstandings into fatal encounters is significant and cannot be underestimated.

Maphosa's life experiences span three African countries - South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe - with family roots throughout the subcontinent. Born in Soweto, he spent his childhood in Zimbabwe, where he experienced exile, became a political commissar, and later returned to South Africa to pursue a career in development. His humanitarian work has been a central part of his career, spanning decades with World Vision International, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and various roles in development programming, monitoring, evaluation, and regional work in southern Africa.

Maphosa's faith and commitment to social justice have also played important roles in shaping his approach to gun violence prevention.