In August of 2019, South Africa was hit with the news of the brutal rape and murder of Uyinene ‘Nene’ Mrwetyana.
During Women’s Month, the month we are meant to celebrate the power of women, we were shattered as a nation as Uyinene was the face of every woman who had done everything right – she was a student, out in broad daylight, simply picking up a package at the local post office, but yet became a victim at the hands of a man.
Also read: Uyinene Mrwetyana’s family devastated by her killer’s latest rape case
This year marks five years since this horrific incident occurred and her face and name will forever be engrained in our hearts and minds. Since her passing, her family has made it their mission to fight gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.
In their mission, they have set up a public benefit organisation (PBO) – The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation – to raise awareness and provide survivors of GBV resources, such as access to psychologists, and empower young people to stand against violence.
In the month of August, The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation leads a GBV awareness walk in the city of Cape Town, where Uyinene spent her final days and in the Eastern Cape, where Uyinene was from, to commemorate her life and amplify our voices in standing up against the plight of violence against women in this country.

Cape Town details:
- Date: Saturday, 24 August 2024
- Time: Starting 8:30am
- Location: 10 Darling Street, Cape Town to Parliament
- Theme: Eliminate the fear: Prioritising safety and security
- T-shirt: R150
- Buff: R80
Also read:
Decade-long wait ends: Safe haven for GBV victims finally opens