Unathi Nkayi Claps Back at Social Media Trolls Over GBVF Campaign

Broadcaster Unathi Nkayi has spoken out after facing online bullying for not changing her profile picture to purple in support of the Women For Change campaign against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

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The drama started when an Instagram user, @just.lefentse, questioned the star about her silence on the campaign, which encourages people to turn their profile pictures purple in solidarity with victims of GBVF. The user commented under one of Unathi’s posts, asking, “Why isn’t your profile picture purple?”

Unathi quickly responded, defending herself and calling for respect. She replied, “@just.lefentse I’ve been watching the rise of the profile purple picture. I’ve heard many say YOU shouldn’t go around asking people why their profiles are not purple. PLEASE DON’T.”

The radio personality then took the conversation further, addressing the issue  under the post. Alongside a screenshot of the exchange, she wrote, “PURPLE PROFILE PIC. As the 21st of November draws closer I hope the focus is put on what’s important and that the focus remains on the initial message intended and not to troll social media platforms asking us why we haven’t changed our profiles to purple. I’m discussing this on YOUR DRIVE on @938radio for my feature ‘What’s In The Bag?’”

Unathi continued the conversation on her Instagram story, where she warned people not to lose sight of the real purpose behind the campaign. She wrote, “@limba_wengane AS I SAID…..Don’t lose focus on WHY the 21st is HAPPENING and STOP TROLLING.”

She went on to add, “Going out of your way, AS A WOMAN AND A MOTHER, and making a post as to why you won’t change iprofile picture yakho is crazy. NOBODY IS FORCING ANYONE TO CHANGE PROFILE PICTURE YAKHE, hlalani as you are.”

Unathi also revealed that the account which had questioned her later disappeared. “If you search for this account now on IG you won’t find it but yesterday this person asked me why my profile pic is not purple,” she said, exposing the user in a post shared on her timeline.

The Women For Change campaign aims to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in South Africa. The movement has called for a national shutdown on Friday, 21 November 2025, a day before the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Women and members of the LGBTQI+ community are being encouraged to refrain from all forms of paid and unpaid work to highlight their economic and social impact.

At its core, the campaign is demanding that the government declare GBVF a national disaster. To make the movement visible online, supporters are encouraged to change their profile pictures to purple.