Purple days won't stop bruises

Last week was a wonder.

- KEVIN RITCHIE

There was visible policing on the highways, there were fighter aircraft overhead in Johannesburg - some of the traffic lights worked, too, and you could see freshly painted road markings.

We can do it, despite all the supposed evidence to the contrary, which is why last Friday - and, indeed, today are so significant.

Last Friday was purple, a South African initiative cleverly timed to coincide with the G20 to bring attention to gender-based violence (GBV).

Today is the start of the global 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children.