GBV prevention must start with boys, says founder launching football-led youth development programme

PRETORIA, GAUTENG | 10  November 2026 — As South Africa prepares for another 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the Dr Muda Foundation is calling for greater investment in early prevention programmes that help boys develop healthy relationships, emotional resilience and a sense of responsibility.

On Friday, 27 November 2026, the Foundation will host a GBV awareness campaign and soccer fundraiser tournament in Pretoria, alongside the launch of its Boys Leading Change Football Club. The initiative aims to use sport as an entry point for sustained mentorship, leadership development and education about respect, accountability and non-violent conflict resolution.

For founder Dr Mmatepeng “Muda” Temane, the work begins by recognising that boys are shaped by the environments in which they grow up.

“If we are serious about ending GBV and Femicide, we must invest in prevention rather than correction,” she says.

Looking beyond the behaviour

Through its engagement with boys and young men, the Foundation has identified exposure to domestic violence, limited access to positive role models, peer pressure and difficulties expressing emotional distress as challenges that can affect young people's choices and relationships.

Temane says some boys struggle silently with grief, rejection, anger and trauma because they have been taught that being strong means suppressing their emotions and dealing with problems alone.

When young people lack safe spaces to speak openly, seek guidance and develop a strong sense of identity, the need for acceptance can leave them vulnerable to harmful influences.

The Foundation is not suggesting that boys who grow up in difficult circumstances will inevitably become violent. Rather, it argues that children need consistent support, positive examples of masculinity and opportunities to learn healthier ways of relating to others.

“Masculinity is not measured by how much fear you can create, but by how much responsibility you can carry,” Temane says.

From awareness to continued engagement

The Boys Leading Change programme uses mentorship, leadership activities, sport and awareness initiatives to encourage respect for women and girls, accountability, healthy relationships and non-violent ways of resolving conflict.

The Foundation reports that boys who attended its leadership camps have returned with a greater willingness to lead activities and contribute to their schools and communities. It also cites feedback from parents who have observed changes in their children. These are observations from the programme; the Foundation plans to strengthen its formal monitoring and evaluation as the initiative develops.

The proposed football club is intended to provide a continuing platform beyond the November event. Planned activities include football sessions, mentorship, empowerment workshops, soccer clinics, leadership development and adventure camps.

“The tournament is not the end; it is the beginning of a continuing journey,” Temane says.

The longer-term ambition is to build a programme in which sporting participation is connected to life skills, responsible citizenship and positive peer leadership — rather than treating a once-off awareness event as an end in itself.

A call for partners to invest in prevention

The Foundation says sustained delivery will depend on collaboration among families, schools, civil society, faith communities, sporting organisations, government and the private sector.

It is seeking financial and in-kind support for football kits and equipment, safe sporting facilities, transport, mentorship and leadership camps, trained facilitators, child safeguarding, psychosocial support, monitoring and evaluation.

The Foundation also plans to strengthen its programme records through participant registration, attendance records, camp and mentorship reports, parent and participant feedback, and pre- and post-programme assessments. These measures are intended to help it assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, confidence, leadership and understanding of GBV prevention over time.

Temane believes the responsibility to address GBV cannot rest with women and survivors alone.

“GBV is not merely a women's issue, it is a societal issue that requires collective action,” she says. “Boys must not be viewed only as potential perpetrators of violence or as a problem society needs to fix. They are also humans who need protection, guidance, opportunity and a sense of purpose.”

The Foundation intends for the campaign to become an annual event, while building the partnerships and resources required to sustain Boys Leading Change beyond the tournament.

EVENT DETAILS

• Event: GBV Awareness Campaign and Boys Leading Change Football Club Launch / Soccer Fundraiser Tournament
• Date: Friday, 27 November 2026
• Location: Mbolekwa Sports Complex, Atteridgeville, Pretoria, Gauteng
• Organiser: Dr Muda Foundation NPC

PARTNERSHIP ENQUIRIES

Dr Mmatepeng “Muda” Temane
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +27 82 804 6533 / +27 84 404 1087
Website: drmudafoundation.org

The Foundation welcomes enquiries from media, prospective sponsors and organisations interested in youth development, sport, mentorship and GBV prevention.

For media follow-ups, interview requests and  and projects photos contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 011 788 7632 / 083 954 6133

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Dr Mmatepeng Muda Temane                                                                                                                                                         

Founder & Visionary; Dr Muda Foundation (NPC)