Johannesburg – The family of murdered environmental scientist Dorcas “Didi” Lekganyane has put the spotlight on the fight to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Her grieving family released a statement on Thursday, (28 November 2024), the eve of the court appearance of her husband, Cecil Kekana, who allegedly stabbed her to death.
Lekganyane was found dead in their Bramley home earlier this year in July. The 32-year-old scientist had multiple stab wounds.
Murder-accused Kekana was arrested and remains in custody.
He is expected to appear at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday, (29 November 2024).
This year, the 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign is taking place between 25 November and 10 December 2024 under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children”.
In a statement coinciding with the annual campaign, Lekganyane’s family said: “As we observe the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, one of the critical questions is whether the campaign is achieving its desired objectives”.
The statement, issued by family spokesperson Robert Lekganyane, added: “One of the answers to this question lies in the brutal murder of Didi Lekganyane and many other women who continue to succumb to violence at the hands of men”.
On 4 September 1995, when South Africa alongside other international communities committed themselves to end violence against women in Beijing, China, Didi Lekganyane was only three years old.
When South Africa launched the first 16 Days of Activism campaign in 1998, Didi Lekganyane was only six.
“Yet 29 years later, here we are, preparing for her murder trial scheduled for Friday the 29th of November 2024 at 09:00 where her husband, Cecil Kekana is standing as an accused of premeditated murder in the Alexander magistrates’ court,” the Lekganyane family statement said.
“We kindly request members of the public to rally behind us and many other victims of GBV in our pursuit of justice.”
