Times Of Swaziland: PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS MOBILISE AGAINST GBV PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS MOBILISE AGAINST GBV ================================================================================ Mengameli Mabuza on 22/11/2024 07:53:00 MBABANE - MTN Premier League teams have come together to launch an anti-GBV campaign, signalling a unified stance against this pervasive societal issue. In a recent radio interview on the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) Sport show with host Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo, Royal Leopard Public Relations Officer (PRO) Frank Hurube, revealed that the soccer clubs were motivated to take action due to the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in Eswatini and the media coverage of these alarming cases. Hurube emphasised that the clubs could no longer remain silent in the face of this societal scourge and are determined to lend their voices to the fight against GBV. The ‘Ingwemabalabala’ longest-serving official cited several recent and troubling media reports detailing instances of violence between partners, including murder and assault. He noted that, in just the month of October alone, media publications reported on six women who were allegedly murdered by their partners, a harrowing statistic that underscores the severity and urgency of the issue. “We are deeply concerned about the impact of GBV on our society and the future of our nation. We simply cannot stand by and let this issue go unaddressed. We feel a strong responsibility to use our platform and influence to speak out against GBV and create meaningful change. Our campaign will focus on promoting open communication and conflict resolution skills, as well as encouraging supporters to seek help if they are experiencing or witnessing violence in their relationships,” he said. Supporters Hurube revealed that the campaign will be launched during the MTN Premier League games, with team captains taking the opportunity to address supporters and raise awareness about GBV. He envisioned that the campaign would continue throughout the month, with the clubs using their platform to engage with supporters and spread the message of prevention and awareness. “Soccer is not just a game, but also a powerful platform for social change. Our team captains will use their voices to speak out against the devastating impact of GBV in our society. We will not be silent, we will not be passive, and we will not allow the epidemic of violence to continue unchecked. Together, we will leverage the power of our beloved sport to spread awareness, inspire action, and bring about positive change,” he added. Addressing the importance of the campaign, Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PLE, expressed the office’s support for the initiative. He noted that GBV had a detrimental impact not only on the victims but also on the league as a whole, as supporters who had experienced abuse might be deterred from attending matches. Vilakati highlighted that the PLE office firmly condemned GBV and that they would not stand idly by as this issue affected the lives of individuals and the overall soccer community. Meanwhile, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi Radebe, also voiced his support for the campaign, stating that the association is firmly behind the teams’ efforts to combat GBV. Radebe emphasised that everyone, including players, coaches, supporters, and the broader community, had a critical role to play in preventing and addressing GBV. “Our collective strength and unity are essential in tackling this pervasive issue that affects the lives of countless individuals and communities. Together, we must speak out against GBV, support those who have experienced it, and work towards a society where all people can live free from violence and fear,” he said. Last year, the Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) formed a partnership with Mbabane Swallows in a campaign aimed at curbing GBV. The initiative, aptly titled ‘Red Card to GBV’, was launched by SWAGAA Chairperson Reverend Senzo Hlatjwayo and marked a significant step towards addressing GBV within the soccer community.