Hundreds of runners gathered along Durban’s Florida Road to honour runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body was discovered in Kempton Park this week.
The 38-year-old disappeared last Wednesday after leaving her eight-year-old daughter at home to go for a run.
Her death has sparked renewed concern among runners and women across the country, with those attending the gathering calling for stronger action to protect women from violence.
Renegade Search and Rescue spokesperson Nicky Esterhuizen says women should be able to exercise and go about their daily lives without fear.
“Women across South Africa are not safe. They fear leaving their homes, and we shouldn’t live in a country where that is the reality for everyone,” Esterhuizen says.
She says women and girls should be able to run, walk their dogs or travel to school without worrying about their safety.
Runner Thembela Ngcengeni says the deaths of women while running, walking and even inside their homes have left many unsure of where they can feel safe.
She says the gathering is intended to raise awareness and call on government to strengthen protection for women.
“Running is a therapy. Running makes us feel good and it is also good for your health. So what must we do? Where must we run? Where must we go? We are not safe,” Ngcengeni says.
Another runner, Thobeka Nsevu, says she joined the event to honour women who have been killed in places where they expected to be safe.
She says the gathering is also intended to send a message to perpetrators that women will not be silenced or prevented from living their lives.
“We will not be silenced. We will not stop jogging; we will not stop existing,” Nsevu says.
Male runner Zweli Mthembu says he attended the event in solidarity with women and to encourage men to reject violence against them.
Mthembu says men have a responsibility to speak out against abuse and support efforts to combat gender-based violence.
“We are also fathers. We are also brothers. This initiative will send a message out there to all other men so that they can stop abusing women,” he says.
The runners are calling for urgent action from authorities to address gender-based violence and improve safety for women across South Africa.