Athlete and former professional footballer Ashay Sewlall led a 5km run at the Umhlanga Promenade on Saturday to raise awareness about gender-based violence and honour Elizabeth Moselakgomo and other women killed in the Kempton Park area. The event was organised in response to the recent murders of nine women in Kempton Park. Sewlall expressed his devastation upon learning about Moselakgomo's death, who disappeared while on an afternoon run and was found three days later.
Sewlall, also a star of Big Brother Mzanzi, met Moselakgomo briefly two years ago at a marathon in Johannesburg. He recalled that she was part of a group running with him, having recognised him from his TikTok videos. Sewlall highlighted the fear women face while running or walking alone, stating that he often sees this fear when running past women who are training. This encounter motivated him to take action and host the awareness campaign.
Following Moselakgomo's death, Sewlall created a call-out video asking those who want change to join him in a run or walk, and discuss ways to curb gender-based violence. Despite short notice and bad weather, the initiative received significant support, with many men and women stopping to join along the promenade. Sewlall was encouraged by the response and the willingness of people to come together to address the issue.
The main theme of the initiative was for men to take responsibility and accountability for ending gender-based violence, rather than blaming the government or police. Sewlall emphasised that men need to start speaking to each other about their behaviour and correct each other's actions. He also stressed the importance of men showing more respect towards women and not idolising them.
Sewlall plans to host another run and awareness campaign in Durban in the next three weeks. He hopes to continue the conversation and encourage more men to take an active role in preventing gender-based violence. By engaging with communities and promoting a culture of respect and accountability, Sewlall believes that men can play a crucial role in creating a safer environment for women.
The 5km run and awareness campaign in Umhlanga is part of a larger effort to address the growing concern of gender-based violence in South Africa. According to reports, nine women have been murdered in the Kempton Park area, highlighting the need for urgent action. Sewlall's initiative aims to bring people together and promote a culture of respect, accountability, and responsibility.
Sewlall's call to action is clear: men need to take responsibility for their actions and work together to prevent gender-based violence. By hosting events like the 5km run and awareness campaign, he hopes to inspire a movement that will lead to lasting change. As the conversation around gender-based violence continues, initiatives like Sewlall's serve as a reminder of the importance of collective action in creating a safer and more respectful society.
Key points
- Men need to take responsibility and accountability for ending gender-based violence.
- Ashay Sewlall hosted a 5km run in Umhlanga to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
- The initiative aims to promote a culture of respect, accountability, and responsibility among men.
