The death of 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who disappeared after going for a run in Kempton Park, Gauteng, has sent shockwaves through the running community in South Africa. Moselakgomo's body was later found in the Rhodesfield area, and her death is being investigated along with the killings of eight other women in and around Ekurhuleni Municipality.
Moselakgomo was an avid sports enthusiast, and running was a significant part of her life. Her death has raised concerns about women's safety while exercising outdoors. According to Professor Rowena Naidoo, a University of KwaZulu-Natal academic leader, running is more than just exercise; it becomes part of one's routine, social life, and overall well-being.
The police have identified similarities in some of the cases and have intensified their investigations. However, they have not confirmed if all the cases are connected. The uncertainty has led to increased fear among runners, particularly women, who may reconsider running alone or alter their routes. Naidoo notes that this fear can change the experience of running, making it feel vulnerable rather than freeing.
To mitigate this fear, Naidoo suggests that runners consider changing their settings rather than abandoning the activity altogether. This could include running with a club or trusted group, using athletics tracks or stadiums with proper security, or opting for indoor exercises like treadmills or swimming. Running clubs can also play a crucial role by organizing additional sessions and ensuring that runners look out for one another.
However, Naidoo emphasizes that temporary measures cannot become a permanent solution. The responsibility for creating safer public spaces cannot rest solely with women; it requires a collective effort from law enforcement, municipalities, communities, and running organizations. The Commission for Gender Equality has called for safety audits in affected areas, including improvements to lighting, surveillance, and emergency-response systems.
Men also have a vital role to play in creating safer communities, including challenging inappropriate behavior and contributing to broader efforts to prevent violence against women. Naidoo stresses that women should not have to constantly calculate their safety or ask if they are allowed to run safely on the road. Instead, the focus should be on creating an environment where women can exercise freely without fear.
In response to Moselakgomo's death, the running community is urged to come together and support one another. Naidoo concludes that women deserve to feel safe while living their lives, and the road should belong to everyone, not fear. The community will continue to move forward, look out for one another, and not give up the right to run.
Key points
- The killing of Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo has raised concerns about women's safety while exercising outdoors in South Africa.
- The police are investigating Moselakgomo's death along with eight other cases of women killed in and around Ekurhuleni Municipality.
- Professor Rowena Naidoo emphasizes the need for a collective effort to create safer public spaces, including improvements to lighting, surveillance, and emergency-response systems.
