Melissa Nayimulu Stands United With the Purple Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
Melissa Nayimulu Stands United With the Purple Campaign to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. There has been many steps taken to try and stop the scourge of gender-based violence, but nothing seems to help. Everyday single day, women and children are killed in South Africa, mostly by someone they know.
The Woman for Change SA, has thus come up with a solution for gender-based violence and femicides to get the much needed attention. The organization encourages South African women to silence the nations on Friday, 21 November 2025. All women and members of the LGBTQI+ community across the country are asked to refrain from all paid and unpaid work in workplaces, universities, homes, and communities. This is to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their absence.
A number of celebrities have joined in the movement by changing their profile pictures to purple. Among those are Mbalenhle Mavimbela, Bonang Matheba, Loot Loove, Enhle Mbali, Sandile Dlamini, DJ Zinhle, Karabo Mareka, Ipeleng Selepe and many more.
Miss Universe South Africa Melissa Nayimuli is also standing in solidarity with the campaign. She is currently in Thailand representing South Africa, but her heart is here at home. Melissa spoke about how gender-based violence is a reality to local women, children and the LGBTQIA+ community. This hence, calls for a national shut down. She also thanked the Woman for Change SA for the campaign, and changed her profile picture to purple.
“I may be in Thailand 🇹🇭 however my heart is purple and I STAND with the millions of women & allies in my country who are fighting a crisis that has been ignored by those in power for far too long. Before we gather for the @g20org summit, we WILL shutdown the country!
Gender based violence is not just another headline, it is a reality in South Africa and women, children, lgbtqia+ community members are no longer safe in our country. This calls for a national shutdown as this is a national crisis.
Thank you to organisations such as @womenforchangesa who don’t stand on the sidelines, but who are actively working towards raising the awareness and safeguarding the dignity and rights of all women for the future of our young leaders and our country.
We protest. We are loud about our commitment to end gender based violence. November 21st, the Miss Universe finale, however for us, it’s a national shutdown for South Africa 🇿🇦, I will be thinking of each of you and our country women who deserve to feel safe and protected 365 days a year, 24/7.
My heart is 💜,” Melissa said.
