Silent protest honours victims and calls for collective action
Johannesburg – On Friday 18 September, employees of Valterra Platinum gathered in silent solidarity against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) ravaging our country and communities. This silent protest called for a collective commitment to building a society where women and girls can live free from fear of violence. Dressed in black, and with their mouths symbolically gagged, employees gathered at the entrance of 144 Oxford Road in Rosebank, in honour of victims including colleagues, community members and the women whose recent tragic deaths have once again brought the devastating reality of GBV in South Africa into sharp focus.
The gathering served as a moment to pay tribute to lost lives, to stand alongside survivors and grieving families, and to reaffirm Valterra Platinum’s stance against gender-based violence. It also underscored the collective responsibility we all share in confronting and ending one of South Africa’s most urgent social challenges.
Though the protest was silent, its message was not.
“Silence can be powerful, but when it comes to GBV, silence cannot mean indifference,” said Craig Miller, CEO of Valterra Platinum. “Our protest meant enough is enough. We reaffirm our commitment to speaking up, challenging harmful behaviours and helping create safer workplaces, homes and communities. This action reflects our ongoing dedication to fostering a culture of safety, respect, dignity and inclusion, across our business and in the communities in which we operate. Real change starts with collective responsibility, courage and action. Preventing gender-based violence starts with all of us.”
South Africa continues to face alarmingly high levels of violence against women, with a number of women killed daily. Every woman should be able to go to work, exercise, travel, return home, and live her life free from fear of violence. Gender-based violence is not a private matter. It is a societal crisis and as a nation, we cannot turn a blind eye – we must act now.
Valterra Platinum has zero tolerance for GBV and any form of harassment. We are committed to fostering a workplace where every employee is treated with dignity, respect and care, and feels safe, valued and supported.
Through our Light the Way, Extinguish GBV programme, we take deliberate action to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and drive meaningful behavioural change. The programme combines robust prevention, response and support measures, including access to safe houses across our operations, confidential and independent reporting channels, psychosocial support services, tailored risk mitigation plans, and rehabilitation and behavioural change interventions for both survivors and perpetrators. It is also an ongoing call to every employee to challenge harmful behaviour.
Beyond our operations, Valterra Platinum supports community-based organisations working to address gender-based violence in high-risk areas. This includes awareness campaigns, survivor support programmes, and collaboration with local leaders, law enforcement and community stakeholders. It helps families access support, encourages the reporting of GBV incidents and creates safe spaces for open and often difficult conversations.
Our commitment is clear: there is no place for GBV in our workplace, our communities or our society. Valterra Platinum stands united in saying: Not on our watch – enough is enough!