By Sitha Maliwa
The community of Cala, at the Sakhisizwe Municipality in the Eastern Cape, has been left devastated by a deeply disturbing act of sexual violence. Multiple reports have confirmed that men in the area were raped by other men; an incident that has shocked residents and forced a painful conversation into the open. This act, which many still struggle to comprehend, has torn through the silence surrounding male sexual violence and highlighted a growing crisis in a town once known for dignity, learning, and leadership.
Cala was once hailed as a centre of education, producing some of South Africa’s most respected figures. Among them are Gwede Mantashe, current Chairperson of the ANC; Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance; Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, a renowned human rights lawyer and former TRC commissioner and Bathandwa Ndondo, the late slain student activist. These national leaders are among many whose roots trace back to this Eastern Cape’s small town – a place that once stood as a beacon of discipline, knowledge, hope and political activism.
But all that identity now hangs in the balance
Over the past several years, Cala has seen a steady rise in poverty, drug abuse, gender-based violence, and other crimes. Infrastructure has weakened, youth unemployment has surged, and schools once known for academic excellence have struggled to maintain standards. The recent sexual violence case has brought this decline into sharp, painful focus.
The assault on male victims has confronted deeply rooted societal assumptions about who can be a victim. In many communities, including Cala, men are taught to be strong, unemotional, and silent about pain. These beliefs have left male survivors of rape in the shadows – ashamed, isolated, and often unable to speak out.
Residents say the fear and silence around this particular case have been overwhelming. “People don’t know how to talk about it,” said one political leader. “It challenges everything we’ve been taught about gender, strength, and vulnerability. But it’s real, and it’s happening.” Victims, whose identities remain protected by law, are currently receiving medical care and counselling. However, the emotional and psychological damage runs deep, not only for the survivors but for the community at large.
Activist Petros Majola of the Khula Community Development Project has condemned the crime and called on government, police, and community members to act swiftly and decisively. “This is not just a criminal act,” Majola said. “It is a human tragedy. It is a sign that something is deeply broken in our communities. We cannot ignore it, we must stand with the victims and ensure justice is done,” Majola says.
Cllr. Boniswa Ponoshe, Mayor of Sakhisizwe Local Municipality, has also spoken out, pledging to strengthen community safety programmes, increase police visibility, and ensure that victims of all genders have access to the support they need.
Churches, traditional leaders, and civil society organisations have joined the call for accountability, support, and healing. Local pastors have condemned the crime from the pulpit, while youth organisations have launched dialogues to address gender-based violence, mental health, and the erosion of social values. “This town raised giants,” said a former teacher from Cala High School. “We cannot let it fall into darkness. We need to fight back – not just against the crime, but against the silence, the fear, and the loss of hope.”
What happened in Cala is not isolated. It reflects a broader national and global problem: male sexual violence is severely underreported and often not taken seriously. Experts say this is largely due to shame, fear of disbelief, and harmful gender stereotypes. A 2022 study by the South African Medical Research Council found that more than 1 in 10 men in South Africa have experienced sexual abuse, but the majority never report it.
In Cala, this silence has now been broken – but at a painful cost
Asiphe Ndlela, a psychologist based in Johannesburg, says what happened in Cala is not isolated. “This reflects a broader national and global problem: male sexual violence is severely underreported and often not taken seriously. This is largely due to shame, fear of disbelief, and harmful gender stereotypes,” she explains.
The rape of male victims in Cala has shocked South Africa and opened a difficult, long-overdue conversation. As the town struggles to make sense of what has happened, its people are also rallying to protect what is left of their legacy and to build a safer future – one where no one, regardless of gender, is left to suffer in silence.
Cala now stands at a crossroads: between being remembered for what it once was, or becoming defined by what it allowed to happen. The choice is in the hands of its people, its leaders, and its institutions – @NewsSA_Online
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