To help curb gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) at tertiary institutions in the province, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Honourable Thami Ntuli, launched the GBVF Mobile App at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in Durban on Thursday, 13 March 2025.
Honourable Ntuli launched the GBVF Mobile App through the KZN Department of Community Safety and Liaison, describing it as the provincial government’s innovative intervention to fight GBVF in the province and its commitment to creating safer communities and utilising technology for swift intervention in GBVF cases.
Amongst the esteemed guests gracing the event was KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, MEC for KZN Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Mntomuhle Khawula and the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. Dignitaries from the other tertiary institutions in KZN included namely the University of Zululand, Mangosuthu University of Technology and the University of KwaZulu-Natal were also present to witness this game changing launch.
Delivering the welcome remarks Prof Mthembu pointed out that the launch being held at DUT did not make it a strictly DUT launch, however it was a provincial launch. He shared that they would not be launching the GBVF App if some men had not forgotten they are born from a mother, and were raised by a woman.
“I hope with this initiative, there will be more to come that will always remind us about the centrality of love in our different faiths and in doing the right things, in our righteousness as human beings on this earth,” said Prof Mthembu.
KZN Police Commissioner, Lt. General Mkhwanazi urged the people of KZN to work together with the police in fighting crime. He mentioned that they have about 20 000 police officers that must police this province, which has a total population size of about 12 million people.
“It is quite a big province to police, for us to be able to win we need to work together with the community. We need all stakeholders to work with us. We recently held a meeting with business leaders in the province talking about possible collaborations, trying to establish how we can work with each other to help each other. We pleaded with them to also be the eyes and ears of the police. There cannot be any safety without the community and the police, so both must be one,” said Lt. General Mkhwanazi.
He applauded the KZN Premier for establishing another tool to assist to make sure that together they are able to prevent crime from happening, especially crime directed to students. He believes the launch was also aimed at creating a closer relationship between the students, the universities and the police. He urged the students to be in partnership with the police to help curb GBVF in universities.
Honourable Ntuli, addressing the DUT students and guests began thanking Prof Mthembu for opening the university gates for the launch. He noted that the gathering at DUT marked a significant milestone in their collective efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide in KZN.
“GBVF has become a pandemic in KwaZulu-Natal, affecting us all regardless of our backgrounds, socio-economic status or geographical locations. It is a crisis which requires a comprehensive and a multifaceted response. During the 2025 State of the Province Address, I conveyed a series of measures aimed at intensifying the fight against gender-based violence in the province,” said Ntuli emphasising that technology can plan a crucial role in fighting crime.
The KZN Premier believes the digital initiatives will strengthen the provinces efforts against GBVF by improving access to emergency assistance, legal support and awareness campaigns. He reinforced that the KZN government will not tolerate GBVF and called upon all residents to take a stand in the fight against GBVF and to immediately report any form of violence.
“To the survivors of GBVF, I want to say that we see, we hear you and we believe you. We acknowledge your pain and trauma you have endured. We commit to doing everything in our power to support you. To the perpetrators of GBVF we will not tolerate your actions, we will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that those who commit these crimes are apprehended, prosecuted and isolated from the community. Let’s work together to create a KwaZulu-Natal where women, children and marginalised communities can live free from fear of violence and abuse,” reiterated Honourable Ntuli.
Four service providers, Eyeres, Lots Projects, Cloud Therapist and Izipho Zokuphila were afforded an opportunity to present to the KZN Premier and guests their digital technologies aimed at enhancing the safety of women and children, proving early response to protect the victims. The apps featured alerts for victims experiencing violence, allowing users to send signals to nearby security officials for intervention.
Honourable Ntuli extended his gratitude to DUT staff and students, representatives from other universities, provincial government officials and business leaders for honouring his invite and for their commitment to making the launch a huge success.
Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Honourable Thami Ntuli, at the GBVF Mobile App launch.
Simangele Zuma
