Khayelitsha community marches to honour Lolitha and combat gender-based violence

Four months after the tragic death of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa, the community called for justice and an end to gender-based violence (GBV) as they marched through the streets of Kuyasa in Khayelitsha on Friday, November 28.

Community members, activists, and organisations marched to the spot on Nambuzane Street where the young girl’s lifeless body was found.

The march, organised by Nonceba Counselling Centre in partnership with the local Department of Social Development (DSD), formed part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. It was held to honour Lolitha’s memory and to renew calls for the protection of women and children.

Marchers gathered at the Chosen Christian Church in Kuyasa before proceeding through the streets, singing struggle songs and carrying placards bearing messages against abuse.

The message throughout the procession was a call for men to stop abusing women and children and instead become protectors and positive role models. During speeches along the way, men were urged to put down their fists and start uplifting women.

Emotions ran high on arrival at the scene where Lolitha’s body was discovered following a community search. Family members visited the site for the first time, including her mother, Funeka Kowa. Overcome with grief, relatives sobbed uncontrollably as pastors and community members gathered around them in prayer.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the incident, a tearful Funeka said the pain was still raw.

“This is my first time coming to the scene, and it brought back painful memories of my child. I am not healed yet. It will take time,” she said, adding that counselling sessions she attends at Ilitha Labantu have helped her cope.

“The investigating officer has been diligent in handling our family’s case,” she said.

Various stakeholders, including Epilepsy SA, Thuthuzela, and Ilitha Labantu, supported the march. Together, they called on men to take responsibility for the country’s ongoing GBV crisis and to challenge abusive behaviour among their peers.

Nonceba Counselling Centre’s Thozama Tapleni said they had deliberately chosen to commemorate Lolitha during this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign.

“Lolitha’s passing touched our hearts deeply. We aimed to demonstrate to the family and the community that they are not alone. If any child is being abused, or any family needs support, they must come to us so that we can work together,” she said.

DSD social worker Xolisani Sibhozo said the march was also aimed at finding solutions to prevent violence. “With unity and collective action, we can find ways to stop the violence in our communities,” he said.

Community leader Makhaya Jezile warned that allowing violence against women and children to continue was destroying the nation.

“Lolitha could have grown up to be a president or a judge. When we kill our children, we are killing the future of this country,” he said. He urged men to call each other out when they witness abuse.

Women who attended the march expressed their deep disheartenment with the ongoing violence in their communities.

Lingelethu police spokesperson Sergeant Sheila Koegelnberg urged residents to stand together to curb GBV in Khayelitsha.

“Women continue to be killed. The community must unite if they are to end this scourge,” she said.