SPAR is calling on South Africans to wear black every Friday this October in solidarity with women and girls affected by gender-based violence (GBV), turning a simple act into a visible national stand against a crisis that continues to devastate families and communities.
From 2 to 30 October 2026, SPAR will encourage its employees, retailers, customers, partners and communities across the country to wear black every Friday and invite those around them to do the same.
The call comes as South Africa continues to grapple with the devastating loss of women to violence. Behind every headline and statistic is a person – a daughter, mother, sister, friend, colleague or community member whose life and future mattered.
For SPAR, wearing black will be a way to honour those lives, stand alongside survivors and those affected by gender-based violence, and keep attention focused on an issue that cannot be allowed to fade from public consciousness.
“Every person deserves to feel safe and respected. Too many women continue to experience violence, and too many families and communities continue to live with its devastating consequences,” says Mpudi Maubane, Group Head: PR, Communications & Sponsorships at The SPAR Group.
“By wearing black every Friday in October, we are asking South Africans to make their solidarity visible. It is a simple gesture, but when we participate collectively, it sends a powerful message that gender-based violence cannot become something we simply accept as part of everyday life.”
The call to wear black builds on SPAR’s longstanding EndGBV work, which focuses on prevention, survivor support and improving access to critical services for those affected by violence. Through its partnership with LifeLine, SPAR supports counselling services that provide people affected by violence with access to confidential assistance.
SPAR has also worked with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to support Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country, providing care packs, toiletries and food to survivors at a particularly vulnerable time.
SPAR’s commitment also extends to strengthening access to survivor support. Through Build it, the business is supporting the development of a new Thuthuzela Care Centre in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, which will provide a safe environment where survivors can access critical services.
Recognising that ending GBV also requires prevention, SPAR supports education initiatives that engage young people on gender equality, harmful behaviours, and recognising and reporting abuse.
Together, these initiatives reflect SPAR’s belief that tackling gender-based violence requires sustained action – from prevention and education to survivor support and access to justice.
The October call to action will give South Africans a simple way to add their voices to that commitment.
On 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 October, SPAR is calling on people across the country to wear black at work, at home, in stores and within their communities.
The intention is for the gesture to go beyond what people wear. Each Friday will provide an opportunity to start conversations about GBV and the role individuals, families, workplaces and communities can play in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to persist.
The call is for everyone. SPAR is particularly encouraging men to participate and stand alongside women, reinforcing that ending gender-based violence is a shared responsibility.
The October mobilisation will build momentum towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, which begins on 25 November. While the annual campaign provides an important moment to focus national attention on GBV, SPAR believes the work required to address violence against women cannot be confined to 16 days.
“Wearing black is a symbol, but what it represents is much bigger,” adds Maubane. “It is a commitment to remember those we have lost, stand with survivors and refuse to be silent about gender-based violence.”
