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Articles by Chandré Gould
South Africa: Preventing Gender-Based Violence Means Protecting Those Most At Risk
analysis In South Africa, women with disabilities face heightened dangers, while children exposed to abuse need support to prevent intergenerational cycles of violence. With gender-based violence the focus of presidential attention in South Africa, what more can the state, civil society and citizens do to prevent violence? How does the country ensure that all people are able to realise their rights to safety and dignity?
South Africa Needs More Than a Five-Point Plan to Prevent Violence
Violence against women is more likely to be reduced if violence among boys and among men is not accepted as normal and inevitable. The 9 September murder of Elizabeth Moselakgomo and subsequent revelations that at least 10 women's bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, between 15 July and 28 September, have focused attention on gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
ANALYSIS | Debate about SA’s falling murder levels masks a deeper crisis
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia. Luke Daniel/News24 To keep murders on a downward trajectory, South Africa must prioritise and fund interventions that prevent family violence, writes Chandré Gould in ISS Today. The number of murders is plummeting in South Africa. Or is it? And if so, is it because of policing or something else? And what about violence in homes, where most of the country’s serious assaults occur?
Debate about SA’s falling murder levels masks a deeper crisis | ISS Africa
To keep murders on a downward trajectory, South Africa must prioritise and fund interventions that prevent family violence. Published on 10 June 2026 in ISS Today By Chandré Gould Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention The number of murders is plummeting in South Africa. Or is it? And if so, is it because of policing or something else? And what about violence in homes, where most of the country’s serious assaults occur?
Dear Mr President: To succeed, SA needs an excellent social development minister
The department can no longer be treated as peripheral – its new minister must have empathy and a deep knowledge of social welfare, argue the writers. Subman/Getty Images The department can no longer be treated as peripheral – its new minister must have empathy and a deep knowledge of social welfare, write Dr Chandré Gould and Adv. Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan in ISS Today.
Military deployment a short-term response to crime that masks years of long-term planning failures
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Military deployment a short-term response to crime that masks years of long-term planning failures
ISS TODAY For the past 16 years, the government has not planned for the prevention of violence, particularly interpersonal violent crime. A gender-based violence NGO pickets outside Protea Magistrate’s Court before Pethe Simiao’s bail application on 1 November 2024, in Soweto, South Africa. The suspect is accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering six-year-old Amantle Samane.
South Africa: Planning to Fail - Why South Africa Is Not Preventing Violence and Crime
For the past 16 years, South Africa's government has not planned for the prevention of violence, particularly interpersonal violent crime. The deployment of South Africa's army to quell crime and violence in five provinces has made headlines. Aside from politicians, proponents of this approach tend to be those living in communities most affected by gangs and gun crimes. They want to feel safe, even if for a short time.
Planning to fail: why SA is not preventing violence and crime
For the past 16 years, South Africa’s government has not planned for the prevention of violence, particularly interpersonal violent crime. Published on 24 March 2026 in ISS Today By Chandré Gould Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention The deployment of South Africa’s army to quell crime and violence in five provinces has made headlines. Aside from politicians, proponents of this approach tend to be those living in communities most affected by gangs and gun crimes.
South Africa: From SONA to the Street - What Real Dialogue in South Africa Looks Like
analysis Whether national or local, dialogue is about listening, and doesn't work as a once-off, performative undertaking. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's 12 February State of the Nation Address (SONA) closed with a reference to the National Dialogue initiated by his office in 2025. This was likely intended to convey that the government wished South Africa to be an inclusive and participatory society. Dialogue should be one of the tools used to overcome the country's many challenges.
Building trust from the ground up is SA’s best hope
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Building trust from the ground up is SA’s best hope
ISS TODAY Whether national or local, dialogue is about listening and doesn’t work as a once-off, performative undertaking. Expensive national dialogues often lack genuine engagement, while grassroots approaches can offer a more authentic and effective path to resolving issues. (Photo: Ashleigh Owen Adapted) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 12 February 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona) closed with a reference to the National Dialogue initiated by his office in 2025.
From SONA to the street: what real dialogue in South Africa looks like | ISS Africa
Whether national or local, dialogue is about listening, and doesn’t work as a once-off, performative undertaking. Published on 23 February 2026 in ISS Today By Chandré Gould Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 12 February State of the Nation Address (SONA) closed with a reference to the National Dialogue initiated by his office in 2025.
South Africa: SA's Child Protection Pledge Needs NGO Partners to Succeed
analysis The plan is up against dysfunction within social development departments and fraught relations with NGOs that deliver most services. About 1 100 children were murdered in South Africa in the past financial year, according to South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics. And estimates prepared by detective services suggest that around 1 181 children were victims of attempted murder and 6 209 were seriously assaulted in just the last three quarters of the 2024/25 financial year.
South Africa’s child protection pledge needs NGO partners to succeed
CHILDREN IN CRISIS Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe. (Photo: Department of Social Development / Facebook) The plan is up against dysfunction within social development departments and fraught relations with NGOs that deliver most services. About 1,100 children were murdered in South Africa in the past financial year, according to South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics.
South Africa: Is South Africa's Crime Problem Turning Around?
New official statistics showing decreased violent crime should provide the impetus for expanding holistic violence prevention strategies. South Africa's serious violent crime problem has received unprecedented global attention since the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa met United States President Donald Trump last week in the White House. However, new data suggests that there could be cause for optimism.
Crime rates show hopeful decline - Is South Africa turning the corner on violence?
New official statistics showing decreased violent crime should provide the impetus for expanding holistic violence prevention strategies. South Africa’s serious violent crime problem has received unprecedented global attention since President Cyril Ramaphosa met United States President Donald Trump last week in the White House. However, new data suggests that there could be cause for optimism.
Is South Africa’s crime problem turning around?
New official statistics showing decreased violent crime should provide the impetus for expanding holistic violence prevention strategies. Published on 28 May 2025 in ISS Today By Chandré Gould Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention South Africa’s serious violent crime problem has received unprecedented global attention since the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa met United States President Donald Trump last week in the White House.
South Africa: What South Africans Need From Political Leaders Is a Commitment to Peace
Positive change is possible but requires ethical leadership from the new cabinet and a shared vision for a peaceful future. The May 2024 elections that caused a seismic shift in power may leave the impression that there is very little South Africans agree on. Yet, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation found that in 2023, 77% of South Africans, across race and class, believe there is more that unites us than keeps us apart.
What South Africans need from political leaders is a commitment to peace
Positive change is possible but requires ethical leadership from the new cabinet and a shared vision for a peaceful future. The May 2024 elections that caused a seismic shift in power may leave the impression that there is very little South Africans agree on. Yet, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation found that in 2023, 77% of South Africans, across race and class, believe there is more that unites us than keeps us apart.
Lessons for multisectoral collaboration to prevent violence
Over the past nine years the Violence Prevention Forum (VPF) has facilitated collaboration and partnerships within and between sectors, maintained ongoing engagement and influenced policy, practice and funding for violence prevention interventions in South Africa. This policy brief presents findings from three case studies that assessed why researchers, non-governmental organisations and government officials participate in the VPF and the impact this has.
ISS TODAY OP-ED: We need to ask our corrupt and uninspiring South African leaders – ‘What happened to you?’
ISS TODAY OP-ED South Africa is facing a leadership crisis. Yet there is a way to cultivate effective, empathetic and accountable leaders. It is now undeniable. The crisis of leadership in South African politics, academia, business and civil society is a failure we shoulder collectively as a nation. It requires courageous reflection and action. Disappointed, betrayed, hopeless, angry and fearful are some words that describe the current mood as South Africa nears 30 years of democracy.
ISS TODAY OP-ED: Beacon of hope for SA violence prevention in Western Cape
ISS TODAY OP-ED The Western Cape is supporting parents as part of an internationally recognised approach to violence prevention. This year’s State of the Province Address by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde heralded an important step forward for support to parents and families, and to prevent violence in the province. Winde announced on 16 February that 3,000 families would have access to parenting programmes annually.
Africa: Western Cape a Beacon of Hope for South Africa Violence Prevention
Despite budget constraints, the province is supporting parents as part of an internationally recognised approach to violence prevention. This year's State of the Province Address by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde heralded an important step forward for support to parents and families, and to prevent violence in the province. Winde announced on 16 February that 3 000 families would have access to parenting programmes annually.
ISS TODAY OP-ED: These are the key elements needed to stamp out gender-based violence in South Africa
ISS TODAY OP-ED SA can break its cycles of violence by investing in supporting children and caregivers. The annual campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence that kicked off on 25 November will temporarily sustain the focus on South Africa’s need to reduce and prevent gender-based violence.
South Africa: Medical Professionals Can Help Prevent Violence in South Africa
Data from emergency hospital centres is already making a vital contribution to evidence-based strategies. A mass shooting in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on 8 May and another on 21 May have drawn attention to the high violence levels in the province and South Africa. New official crime statistics for the first quarter of 2022 show a 22% increase in murders compared to the same period last year.
ISS TODAY ANALYSIS: Western Cape ‘Safety Dashboard’ launched for medical professionals to track rate of violent injuries
ISS TODAY ANALYSIS Data from emergency hospital centres is already making a vital contribution to evidence-based strategies. A mass shooting in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on 8 May and another on 21 May have drawn attention to the high violence levels in the province and South Africa. New official crime statistics for the first quarter of 2022 show a 22% increase in murders compared to the same period last year.
South Africa's Growth Depends On Fixing Its Deeply Broken Food System
Economists and business analysts working on the country's unemployment crisis must prioritise children's access to affordable, healthy food. As South Africa grapples with overcoming the challenge of massive COVID-19-related job losses and the highest unemployment level in the world, we need to think long-term to avoid remaining in this situation.
ISS TODAY: South Africa needs to address its food and nutrition crises to realise growth
First published by ISS Today. Chandré Gould, Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS Pretoria. As South Africa grapples with overcoming the challenge of massive Covid-19-related job losses and the highest unemployment level in the world, we need to think long-term to avoid remaining in this situation.
ISS TODAY: OP-ED: Pros and comms: lessons in preventing violent protest in South Africa
Residents demonstrate along the Duinefontein Road during a large scale protest action in the Cape organised by the group Gatvol Capetonian on July 27, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that the group aimed to highlight the plight of communities in relation to various issues, including housing, job opportunities and poor service delivery. Rubber bullets and teargas were used against protesters along the N1 highway near Joostenberg Vlakte.
Pros and comms: Lessons in preventing violent protest in South Africa
© Copyright (c) Daily Maverick , All Rights Reserved First published by ISS Today Chandré Gould, Senior Research Fellow, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS Pretoria. It is very difficult to show or prove that something didn’t happen because of action taken to prevent it. This is one of the challenges facing anyone working to prevent violence. So, when one actually witnesses actions that prevent violence, this is a good opportunity to draw lessons.
South Africa's Budget Should Protect the Country's Holy Cows
Instead of cutting all department budgets by a fixed percentage, Treasury should shortlist specific areas for protection. When South Africa's Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni presents the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement this week, he's expected to announce drastic cuts to reduce the gap between government spending and tax revenue. His department says no items will be automatically spared the knife in efforts to put the country back on a sustainable fiscal path.
ISS TODAY: Violence can be prevented using dialogue backed by evidence
Organisations such as the Violence Prevention Forum are making a collaborative effort to stem violence in our society. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) South Africa’s Violence Prevention Forum shows how bridges can be built to deal with an enduring social problem. First published by ISS Today Covid-19 has shown the need for swift data-led responses and good intersectoral relationships.
ISS TODAY: Domestic violence during Covid-19: we need to ask the right questions
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay Reliable data is useful but the priority is ensuring survivors have access to high-quality support and services. First published by ISS Today The number of domestic violence cases reported to the South African police between March and April dropped by 69.4%. This figure makes it tempting to believe that in South Africa, unlike many other countries, lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic reduced family and domestic violence.
South Africa: Can We Solve Hunger in South Africa?
When people's need for water, food and shelter isn't met, the result is catastrophic for the individual, their family and society. Food insecurity and violence are close companions, a connection exposed in South Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown when conflict over food parcels arose. Hunger, uncertainty, fear and a legacy of unfairness interacted in a toxic mix leading to public violence and anger.
ISS TODAY: Can we solve hunger in South Africa?
Meal SA and several partners donate food parcels to Iterileng informal settlement on May 20, 2020 in Pretoria. They distributed about 11 000 maize meal, food hampers, masks, soap and sanitisers. (Photo: Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) As lockdown stimulates exciting new initiatives, the country must focus on ensuring access to quality food for all.
South Africa: Gender-Based Violence During Lockdown - Looking for Answers
The COVID-19 crisis and social distancing measures have caused deep concerns about their impact on women in abusive relationships. Numerous articles in the South African media have pointed to the increased risk women in these relationships face under lockdown conditions. The fear is that they are trapped inside with their abusers, unable to leave, escape or reach out for help. Other countries, mostly in the northern hemisphere, have reported a spike in cases of domestic violence under lockdown.
ISS TODAY: Gender-based violence during lockdown in SA: Looking for answers
Photo: A mural outside a college in Soweto depicts violence against women. May 8 2003. (EPA/Kim Ludbrook) Why is South Africa not showing the rise in domestic violence cases reported elsewhere in the world? First published by ISS Today The Covid-19 crisis and physical distancing measures have caused deep concerns about their impact on women in abusive relationships.
Compassionate approach needed to end cycles of violence
By now all news-watching South Africans know that the newly released police crime statistics confirm our shared perception that violent crime is on the rise. Many forms of violent crimes increased in the past financial year. The formula for solving violent crime is an equation the world has been working on for decades. We have best-practice standards, international research and even SA evidence on what works and what doesn’t.
The solution to South Africa's violent crime problem
It means making provision for vulnerable workers in the energy sector, to make sure the move toward a low-carbon economy is done in a way that protects jobs and the environment
South Africa:Crime Statistics - A Country At War With Itself
South African society is becoming more, not less, violent. This was confirmed by the 2017/18 crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) yesterday. Between 1993 and 2011 the murder rate - the most reliable of all crime statistics - declined almost consistently year on year. The highest murder rate in 100 years (78 murders per 100 000 people) was recorded in 1993, as South Africa transitioned to democracy. By 2011 it had dropped to 30.1 per 100 000.
Crime Statistics - A Country At War With Itself
analysis By Chandré GouldSouth African society is becoming more, not less, violent. This was confirmed by the 2017/18 crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) yesterday. Between 1993 and 2011 the murder rate - the most reliable of all crime statistics - declined almost consistently year on year. The highest murder rate in 100 years (78 murders per 100 000 people) was recorded in 1993, as South Africa transitioned to democracy. By 2011 it had dropped to 30.1 per 100 000.
South Africa At War With Itself: It’s Becoming More Violent, And Is One Of The 10 Most Murderous Countries In The World
Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) SOUTH African society is becoming more, not less, violent. This was confirmed by the 2017/18 crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) yesterday. Between 1993 and 2011 the murder rate – the most reliable of all crime statistics – declined almost consistently year on year. The highest murder rate in 100 years (78 murders per 100,000 people) was recorded in 1993, as South Africa transitioned to democracy.
Africa: Doing Business in a Way That Benefits Everyone
analysis By Chandré GouldThe blind spot of capitalist business practice is the belief that business is all about profit, regardless of its effect on the environment or health and welfare of those affected along the supply chain. This is the view of Harvard University School of Business' Professor Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, managing director of social impact advisory firm FSG. They believe that blindly prioritising profit has underpinned a global loss of trust in business.
South Africa: Budgeting to End Violence?
analysis By Chandré Gould, Carmen Abdoll And Conrad BarbertonSurely no one would want to trade places with South Africa's Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba on 21 February when he presents the national budget to Parliament. Political uncertainty and repeated downgrades from international rating agencies have placed enormous pressure on an economy that has been struggling to keep from falling back into recession.
South Africa: Violent Homes Breed Violent Societies
analysis By Chandré GouldViolence against children is an international crisis. A recent report by Know Violence in Childhood says that 1.7 billion children around the world experienced some form of violence, abuse or cruelty in the last year. That is three out of every four children. And in South Africa, one in every three young people experiences sexual abuse during their lives, according to the Optimus Study.
Africa: As South Africa's Leaders Quarrel, the Real Struggle Continues
Photo: Yazeed Kamaldien/GroundUp Waiting out the storm at home in a leaking shack in Taiwan, a section of Khayelitsha township, with buckets to catch the water. analysis By Chandré GouldIf you watch political events or have even a marginal interest in politics, South Africa is a distracting place. Today, in Parliament, there'll be a secret ballot vote of no confidence in the president.
Why societies must protect children if they want fewer criminals
What drives and sustains high levels of violence in a society? This question has preoccupied researchers and policymakers for decades. A common thread in a great deal of the research is that early childhood experiences play a vital role. Violent beginnings of a child’s life very often lead to violent behaviour in later life. The question is particularly acute in countries with exceptionally high levels of violence.
The solution to South Africa's violent crime problem
The recent crime statistics make for grim reading with regards to public safety in South Africa. The increase in murder over the past four years is clear evidence of this. The solution to our high, and increasing, levels of violence does not lie in the hands of the police alone.
South Africa: Stopping South Africa's Cycles of Violence
analysis By Chandré Gould'Inxeba lenlitziyo' - an isiXhosa term meaning 'wound of the heart' - perfectly describes what lies behind violence in South Africa, and why efforts to 'fight crime' cannot deliver the expected returns in safety and security. Between 2010 and 2015, I interviewed men convicted of violent crimes and who were serving long sentences in maximum-security prisons. The men came from all nine provinces of South Africa. The youngest was 23 and the oldest 56.
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