ZCC Bishop Lekganyane
South Africans from all walks of life gathered at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday for a powerful show of unity at the 2025 Motsepe Foundation National Day of Prayer. Amid prayers for the nation’s challenges, Zion Christian Church leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane took a strong stand against gender-based violence, backing the Women for Change nationwide shutdown that happened just days earlier. His words, delivered to a crowd of thousands and viewers across 60 countries, highlighted the urgent need to end this scourge that claims lives daily.
The event, now in its fifth year, brought together faith leaders, traditional authorities, and everyday people to seek healing and hope.
As the bishop condemned GBV and called for an end to corruption and violence, mining mogul Dr Patrice Motsepe closed with thanks and a reminder to care for the poor. This day of reflection comes as South Africa battles social ills, with recent stats showing over 3,000 women killed yearly from violence. Amid calls for change, the bishop’s support adds a spiritual voice to the fight, urging action alongside faith.
A Gathering for National Healing and Unity
The National Day of Prayer, hosted by the Motsepe Foundation at the iconic FNB Stadium, drew a diverse crowd including religious figures from Anglican, Methodist, and other denominations. Broadcast live on SABC 2, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, it reached viewers in 60 countries, turning a local event into a global moment of solidarity. The foundation’s goal was to foster social cohesion, with prayers focusing on ending youth unemployment, corruption, and violence.
Road closures around the stadium ensured smooth access for attendees, who braved the day to join in hymns, sermons, and calls for a better South Africa. Organisers stressed the event’s role in building a united nation, where faith bridges divides of race, age, and culture. With Luyanda Zuma, Miss South Africa runner-up, adding her voice against joblessness among young people, the day blended inspiration with real-world pleas for change.
Bishop Lekganyane’s Powerful Sermon: Condemning GBV and Backing the Shutdown
In his address, Bishop Lekganyane spoke with passion about South Africa’s woes, from corruption to gang violence, but saved strong words for gender-based violence. He praised the Women for Change advocacy group for leading the nationwide shutdown on 21 November 2025, which honoured the roughly 15 women murdered daily in the country. “I commend the action taken by the women for change advocacy group,” he said, noting how the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, starting in November 2025, must not be limited to one month but intensified year-round.
The bishop shared heart-wrenching stories heard on radio of women suffering at the hands of abusers, calling it “morally reprehensible.” He urged prayers to end GBV and femicide completely, saying, “When women and children are safe, we will know that the nation will be relieved from cross of this pandemic.” Linking it to spiritual decay, he condemned the “evil spirit” behind such acts and called for the nation to stand against them.
Drawing from Bible verses like 1 Timothy 4:4 and Colossians 3:15-17, he reminded listeners that leaders must defend the vulnerable. He also praised the government’s G20 hosting, quoting delegates who felt South Africa’s warmth, and congratulated the Springboks for their wins, seeing their colours as a symbol of national pride.
Dr Patrice Motsepe’s Closing Thanks: A Message of Compassion and Duty
Wrapping up the event, Dr Patrice Motsepe expressed deep gratitude to all involved, from religious leaders to traditional kings. “I know that I speak on behalf of all of us. All of us who are here in the stadium and all of us who are watching with us in the 60 countries throughout the world and all South Africans who are with us to thank each and everyone of our leaders, our religious and faith-based leaders who came to pray for us,” he said.
Motsepe stressed that prayer inspires confidence to overcome challenges, but action is key. “God wants us to do the right things. God wants us to care for each other. God wants us to help the poor,” he added, calling on the educated and successful to aid those in need. He thanked his wife for her hard work in organising the day and praised the nation’s spirit of love and compassion.
His words echoed the event’s theme of unity, reminding everyone that helping the unemployed and sick builds a stronger future for all.
Broader Impact: A Call for Ongoing Action Against GBV
The bishop’s backing of the Women for Change shutdown adds significant weight to the campaign, which saw protests across provinces two weeks ago. The group, focused on ending violence against women, organised marches and awareness drives during the 16 Days of Activism, a global effort running from 25 November to 10 December each year.
South Africa’s GBV crisis is stark, with police stats showing over 42,000 rapes reported yearly and thousands of femicides. The shutdown honoured victims and demanded better laws, faster justice, and more support for survivors. Lekganyane’s support from the ZCC, one of Africa’s largest churches with millions of members, could mobilise faith communities to join the fight.
The National Day of Prayer also touched on other ills like corruption, gang violence, and conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria, showing how faith leaders link spiritual guidance to real-world fixes. With the Motsepe Foundation’s backing, the event has grown into a platform for national reflection, drawing diverse groups to pray for peace and progress.
As South Africa wraps up a year of milestones like hosting the G20, these calls remind us that unity and action are key to overcoming divides. For those battling GBV, the bishop’s words offer hope that change is possible when voices unite.
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