[Episcopal News Service] Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba on Nov. 25 led one thousand people in a Procession of Witness to kick-start South Africa’s 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children.

Through joining the act of public witness — from Keizersgracht Square to St. Georges Cathedral, Cape Town — Makgoba underlined his backing for the annual, government-supported campaign.

The international theme for 2012 is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women. Makgoba is firmly committed to increasing awareness of abuse and to developing effective support for victims and survivors of abuse, according to a press release from HOPE Africa, the social development department of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town.

Makgoba invited men, women and young people, representatives of business, government, NGOs, religious leaders and members of the media to join him in the procession of witness. “The Anglican Church of Southern Africa recognizes that not all men are abusers, and therefore warmly invites these men to stand up and be counted, and to join in sending a strong message to abusers out there, saying ‘Not in our name,’” the press release said.

The Procession of Witness was followed by a service at St. George’s Cathedral to celebrate the Anglican Church of Southern Africa’s Anglicans ACT Vision. The Procession of Witness highlights two of the eight priority areas of the vision, namely Women and Gender and The Protection and Nurturing of Children and Young People.