South Africa is once again mourning the loss of a promising young woman whose life was cruelly taken too soon. The body of Phumelela “Phumi” Maneli, aged 22, was discovered on 14 September 2025 at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape — a tragedy that has reignited nationwide outrage over the country’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
Phumi, described by friends as a kind and ambitious student, had gone out with friends the evening before her death. According to reports, she stepped away from the group for a short while and never returned. The following morning, campus authorities and students were left in shock when her lifeless body was found hanging from a tree on university grounds. Preliminary information suggests that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered, though police investigations are still ongoing.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Fort Hare community and beyond, highlighting yet again the persistent and deadly reality of GBV in South Africa. Fellow students gathered on campus in candlelight vigils, holding placards that read “Justice for Phumi” and “Enough is Enough”. Many expressed fear, anger, and deep frustration at the lack of safety for women — even within university spaces that are meant to foster growth and empowerment.
Phumi had just completed her Bachelor of Health Science and had begun working toward her Honours degree, with dreams of one day contributing to public health and community wellness. Friends and lecturers describe her as intelligent, compassionate, and deeply passionate about improving the lives of others. Her sudden and brutal death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her and in the academic community she was part of.
Her family, still reeling from the devastating news, has called for justice and accountability. “We sent our daughter to study and build her future — not to come back in a coffin,” said one relative during a memorial service held in her honour. “We demand that the university and the government take action to protect our daughters.”
The University of Fort Hare has released a statement expressing condolences to the Maneli family and pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with tributes and messages of outrage under the hashtags #JusticeForPhumi and #EndGBV, as South Africans continue to demand that GBV and femicide be declared a National Disaster.
Phumelela’s story is not an isolated one — it is a heartbreaking reminder of the countless women who have suffered similar fates. Her death must serve as a catalyst for change, urging leaders, institutions, and communities to confront the deep-rooted culture of violence against women.
May Phumelela “Phumi” Maneli rest in power. May her name strengthen the call for justice, reform, and protection for every woman in South Africa.
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