Kolisi Leads Purple Wave Against GBV

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is using his star power to rally South Africans behind the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), urging fans to swap their famous green jerseys for purple ahead of nationwide protest action this Friday, 21 November.

Kolisi has aligned himself with Women For Change, the organisation spearheading a call for GBV and femicide to be declared a national disaster. Their petition has already drawn more than a million signatures as social media timelines turn purple in solidarity.

Fresh off the Springboks’ win over Italy, the double World Cup champion appealed directly to men to take responsibility, saying: “Don’t wait until it’s someone in your own family for you to take action… I’m not perfect. I’ve made so many mistakes. But I’m willing to learn.”

He added that women had “made me the man I am today”.

As co-founder of the Kolisi Foundation, he has long spoken out about the need for accountability, often reminding listeners: “If you don’t say anything, you condone it.”

With public figures and fans joining the purple movement, Kolisi’s message is clear: South Africa cannot tackle GBV without men stepping forward, speaking up and standing with women.

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