Proteas Women make strong social stance on eve of World Cup departure

Johannesburg — The Proteas will draw attention to what’s been termed South Africa’s ‘second pandemic’ when they take to the Wanderers for the fourth One-Day International against the West Indies, dressed in black.

Violence against women and girls has been a scurge on this country with many suffering in silence and many other women simply ignored. It’s a situation that’s worsened in the Covid pandemic with helplines and aid organisations reporting significant increases in calls from frightened women who’ve been beaten and raped by men after the lockdowns started.

While there will be synics pointing to a mere gesture of wearing black, it is the fact that a national sports team, with a relatively high profile on the eve of departing for a World Cup, is doing so, that should be seen as significant. “To use our platform to draw attention to gender based violence is special,” said Mignon du Preez.

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