'We are the problem, we need help': Siya Kolisi’s raw plea to South African men on GBV crisis

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has made a heartfelt plea to South African men to address the country's gender-based violence crisis. Speaking from Australia, Kolisi urged South Africans to unite against gender-based violence following a series of recent shocking killings of women in Johannesburg. Nine women's bodies have been discovered in Ekurhuleni within the past two months, with many found in Kempton Park.

Kolisi, who grew up in Zwide township in the Eastern Cape, has previously used his public platform to speak out on social issues. In a video posted on social media, Kolisi called on men to accept responsibility for the ongoing violence, stating, "It's not just because it's headlines right now. This happens each and every single day in our country."

He also encouraged other sporting teams and athletes to use their platforms to confront the issue and urged influential voices to turn their words into action. Kolisi emphasized that the change must begin with everyday conversations among men and personally asked how he could explain the failure to act to the women and children closest to him.

Despite not having all the answers, Kolisi expressed his willingness to use his platform to help those who do and appealed directly to South Africa's leaders to help men confront the problem. He ended with a powerful declaration of intent, stating, "I honestly don't have answers, but I'm willing to use my platform for people who do have answers to help us as men going forward."