We are reaching out because silence is no longer neutral. Silence is permission.
There is a growing trend on social media where people mimic persons with disabilities and the elderly for entertainment. It is packaged as humour. It is edited for engagement. It goes viral. But beneath the views and the laughter, something corrosive is taking root.
What appears to be “just content” lands as something far heavier. It lands as confirmation of every stare that lingered too long, every whisper, every joke, every moment someone with a disability was made to feel less than fully human. It reinforces the idea that bodies, movements, speech, and differences are costumes to be worn for laughs and discarded when the camera turns off.
We have seen this before in different forms. We understand the harm of racism, sexism and homophobia. Yet when it comes to ableism, ageism and tribalism, society hesitates. It minimises the impact.
“It’s not that deep.”
“They didn’t mean it.”
“It’s just humour.”
But intent does not erase impact. Ableism is not softer. It is not lighter. It is simply more normalised.
In a country like South Africa — a nation shaped by a painful history of oppression and dehumanisation — normalised cruelty is dangerous. It creates an environment where people feel entitled to mock, shame, bully and devalue. It builds a culture where harm escalates because no one interrupts it.
We cannot wait until names become hashtags.
We cannot wait until families are grieving and we are posting condolences.
We have already buried children like Nathaniel Julies.
We have already watched 144 vulnerable lives lost in the Life Esidimeni tragedy — men and women with mental health conditions treated as burdens, moved without care, abandoned, and left to die in hunger, neglect and silence.
We have already witnessed the devastating impact of bullying in cases like Lufuno Mavhungu.
Each time, we say “never again.”
Each time, we mourn.
Each time, we promise to do better.
And yet everyday dehumanisation continues — in comments, in skits, in viral videos. It continues because it is tolerated. It continues because influential voices remain quiet. It continues because people who know better choose comfort over confrontation.
If we are serious about healing as a nation, we cannot fight discrimination selectively. We cannot condemn racism but excuse ableism. We cannot defend dignity in theory but ignore it in practice. Justice does not work in fragments.
This is a call to stand publicly and clearly against ableism, bullying, cyberbullying, body shaming, tribalism and every form of discrimination. Not when it trends. Not when it is too late. Now.
We are calling on leaders, public figures, creators, educators, faith leaders and influencers to use their voices — because their voices carry weight.
Join us at the peaceful march on 02 March, the beginning of Human Rights Month, from Constitution Hill to the South African Human Rights Commission at 10:00
The leaders and organisations that have pledged their solidarity and participation include :
Vusi Mona, a corporate communications leader and public figure.
Congress of South African Trade Unions — COSATU, with the president Zingiswa Losi, Former Minister Lindiwe Zulu,
Xolelwa Matjeke a media and sports personality.
The Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature , Morakane Mosupyoe, confirmed she will join the march.
MK Party leadership and members, Deputy President of the PAC Jaki Seroke, DA Gauteng Leader Solly Msimanga, BOSA Tshwane leader Ayanda Allie Pyne, Trompies member and EFF MP Eugene Mthethwa, Fundzi Ngobeni, Action SA Gauteng, THE KOMOTSO, LOVENESS FOUNDATION (organising partner), Disability and advocacy groups, Re na le Lona creative centre and associated NGO’s, Rotaract e club of Borderless Action (sponsored by Rotary club of Johannesburg), some of the victims and others from across different spheres of society
History remembers who spoke. It also remembers who did not.
Right now, people are watching. Persons with disabilities are watching. Families are watching. Those who feel invisible are watching. What they see from leaders and influential voices will either affirm their humanity or confirm their isolation.
Your voice matters.
We need to count everyBODY — because everyBODY counts.
We cannot afford indifference.
For more information, contact us on +27 665530535