Ramaphosa urges teachers to help combat GBV through education

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed educators at the National Teacher Awards in Gauteng, urging them to play a vital role in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. Speaking at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Ramaphosa emphasized that schools should not only be safe havens for learners and teachers, but also serve as platforms to prevent violence before it occurs.

These interventions followed the discovery of the bodies of 12 women over a two-month period, prompting Ramaphosa to announce key measures to curb GBV and femicide. He stressed the importance of teaching young people respect, dignity, equality, and consent, particularly to boys and young men. Ramaphosa explained that strength should not be displayed through domination or abuse of others, but rather through respect, responsibility, and self-control.

The President urged teachers to embrace their crucial role in shaping the future of young people's lives. He recalled a personal story about his former school principal, Mr. Ntsandeni, who intervened when Ramaphosa was nearly expelled, recognizing his potential. Ramaphosa emphasized that great teachers see the promise in learners others may overlook, believing in their potential at decisive moments to change the course of their lives.

He concluded his speech by stating that by believing in a single young person, a teacher can change their entire future.