Amanda du Pont, the prominent Swazi-born South African actress, model, and television host, has demonstrated a powerful commitment to social advocacy by donating a substantial R100,000 through her skincare brand, Lelive, to the anti-gender-based violence (GBV) organization Women for Change.
Mobilizing for the National Shutdown
The donation provides critical financial support for the Women for Change campaign, which is organizing a nationwide 15-minute standstill at noon on Friday and encouraging supporters to change their profile pictures to purple. The action aims to:
- Honor the estimated 15 women killed daily in South Africa.
- Demand the declaration of gender-based violence (GBV) as a national disaster.
This shutdown is strategically scheduled immediately before the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, amplifying the call for attention to the GBV crisis on an international stage.
Philanthropic Impact and Inclusivity
The contribution is historically significant for Women for Change, with founder Sabrina Walter describing it as the largest donation the organization has ever received.
Du Pont emphasized that the fight against violence is universal, extending beyond one demographic, and stressed the importance of collective action:
“I just want to acknowledge that this happens across all genders and to children as well. There are some incredible men behind the movement, so we are no longer standing alone and we welcome our entire community to stand with us. To whoever has been affected, we stand and fight for you too.”
The donation showcases how corporate social responsibility initiatives, channeled through successful commercial ventures like Lelive, can directly empower and finance crucial social justice movements.
