By Rev Seth Naicker
We cannot look away. We cannot become numb. We cannot accept the merciless killing of women in our perplexed, crying, beloved country.
Eight women. Eight lives. Eight families carrying grief.
Whatever our background, beliefs or community, surely we can agree on this:
Women must be safe. Women must be able to live, work and move through our communities without fear of being targeted, harmed or killed.
We urge all of us—authorities, faith leaders, faith communities, community organisations, families and neighbours—to act.
Protect those at risk.
Support grieving families.
Share credible information.
Strengthen community safety.
Speak when something is wrong.
Pursue justice.
Tonight, during our #FLGTP Cycle 7 learning session on Marriage, Relationships, Family and Creation Narratives, we paused our learning to pray, lament and remember the women whose bodies have been found across Ekurhuleni, including in and around Kempton Park.
Eight women are now part of this investigation. Police are investigating whether the cases are connected, while authorities continue to gather evidence and pursue those responsible.
But while investigations continue, our responsibility to care, protect and act cannot wait.
We urge churches and faith communities to be places of safety, compassion and accountability—where violence is never hidden, excused or minimised.
As gender justice mobilisers from We Will Speak Out South Africa, the Faith Action Collective, collaborating partners, members of #FLGTP, and learners in faith and gender justice, we stand in solidarity with those who are grieving.
We remember.
We grieve.
We lament.
We pray.
We act.
Tonight we sang “Justice and Joy”, clapping our hands and creating a sound for justice:
And God will delight
when we are creators of justice
and of joy, compassion and peace.
Yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice.
Justice and Joy.
Justice for lives taken.
Justice for grieving families.
Justice for survivors seeking safety.
Justice for communities living with fear.
Courage to speak.
Compassion to stand alongside those who are hurting.
Faith that refuses to look away.
Action that turns prayer into practice.
Justice and Joy.
May their lives never be reduced to statistics.
May their families know they are not forgotten.
May their stories move us from outrage to action.
Prayer must become practice.
Concern must become courage.
Outrage must become action.
For life.
For dignity.
For safety.
For justice.
For joy.
Justice and Joy!
Photo: BBC News Pidgin