Ofentse Bogopane explores the losing battle faced by South Africa’s women and children
Constantly looking over your shoulder, purchasing pocketknives and pepper spray, saying prayers when leaving home, sharing your phone number with a random man to avoid potentially losing your life, having unnecessary conversations with e-hailing service drivers to avoid being kidnapped—this is what it means to be a woman or a child living in South Africa, the land of the free as some would put it. What will it truly take for women and children to know peace?
South Africa’s Constitution, which has been deemed one of the best coded constitutions in the world, seems almost aspirational when measured against its practical success. Section 12 guarantees the right to freedom and security of the person, Section 12(1)(c) calls for freedom from all forms of violence, ans Section 12(1)(d) guarantees that everyone has the right to not be tortured in any way. Now all these rights are all well on paper, although gender-based violence statistics, moreover the reality of survivors, attests to the fact that not enough is being done to ensure that these rights are protected. The Constitution as well as inaction by the state starts to illustrate a “facade” regarding all that the Constitution envisages.
It becomes difficult to seek refuge in a justice system whose mission it is to push survivors back into the lion’s den, when those meant to protect women and children protect the interests of those who incite violence upon them. The Zuma rape trial which took place during 2005/06, is indicative of the depth of the battle women and children face. It illustrated how those in power, whose responsibility it should be to protect those who they govern, can be the same people who reinforce and campaign the disparities of citizens they’re meant to protect. Zuma’s rape trial further highlighted the urgent need to dismantle the deep, toxic ideologies present within our cultures, which excuse and justify violence against women and children.
Numerous instances during the trial displayed the dehumanising cultural constructs regarding understandings of masculinity and views on women. Understandings that must be reevaluated and questioned in the battle against gender-based violence. The survivor of rape in Zuma’s case was stoned on her way to court, she was insulted and her experience made a mockery. She was called a “serial rape accuser”. Zuma’s proposed solution was to pay a “bride price” (lobola), make her his wife. In his perspective that would rectify the situation. This one survivor is representative of the plethora of other survivors who are denied justice simply because they happen to exist within a society where a man has final say regarding a woman’s body. If anything, it is alarming that men within this country are raised to feel entitled to a woman’s sexuality. Zuma going on to become president in 2017 proves that South Africa’s Constitution, furthermore it’s justice system are not for all who live within the apparent “democracy”; justice is only served when it is for the convenience of a few. Will it take all South African women and children being buried for the war against them to finally be over? The renowned statement “this is a man’s world” finds perfect illustration within the South African context.
Gender-based violence in South Africa has become normalised, it is only in cases that are considered “gruesome” or horrid that they are taken “seriously”. Which should not be the case! Every case MUST be thoroughly investigated and survivors granted justice. This should be common knowledge and human decency, unfortunately this is the reality of being a woman in South Africa, having to prove why your dignity must be respected and your life spared.
Children are not exempt from torture by men. Numerous stories about violence against children make headlines everyday. Although only a few ever see justice. The recent case regarding seven-year-old Cwewe from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape has caused uproar nationwide. The case was dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority because it was “not convinced” the young girl was raped. Now it begs the question, why must a seven year old convince the state that she was raped? In what world is it normal for a seven year old to come out about being raped? What does a seven year old have to gain from expressing such a tragedy?
If it’s not enough that children are raped on school grounds, premises meant to be their home away from home, it’s stories regarding women losing their lives to men who were supposed to love them. A recent story which has spread like wildfire on social media is that of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale who was found murdered near Lombardy in Johannesburg, two hours after being picked up by her date. One could go on about stories about women and children being raped/killed, it has come to the point of hopelessness amongst women and children in South Africa.
News regarding an apparent “white genocide” taking place in South Africa travels further internationally than the ever-so-evident genocide of women and children within the country. Our president, who is supposed to uphold values outlined within the Constitution, is more than willing to travel overseas to “clarify rumours” surrounding a minority who previously oppressed the majority of South Africa, than he is to advocate for the women and children who suffer daily under his leadership.
This disregard for the horror lived by women and children can be dated back to slavery. South Africa has been a site of slavery as well as a settler colonial society at the same time. Stereotypes about women and male slaves find some of their roots in slave societies. Within slave societies, male slaves were understood to have an “insatiable appetite”. Graaff, writes that “sexual control by slave masters was violent and rape was routine”, he goes on to mention that even though slavery saw a formal end, slaves could still be “raped without repercussions”.
Violence against women and children has evidently been institutionalised. It is no question that dismantling a system, ideologies, cultural norms as well, does not happen instantaneously. Although again, it is paramount now more than ever that radical change comes about. The process can start off easily. Let the media name the perpetrators in their headlines. Put their faces out for the world to see. Hold those within the justice system accountable, hold the president accountable. Being passive about this epidemic has seemingly brought our country nowhere, if anything passivity has exacerbated the situation. Perhaps it’s time our justice system revisited capital punishment. An unthinkable suggestion, but one that is seemingly justified when assessing the monstrosity of violence against women and children. If a man feels comfortable and unphased about taking the life of a woman and a child, surely he should be comfortable with his being taken away? Being a woman or child in South Africa means you don’t have to go watch horror films in cinemas, you’re a character within a horror every day of your life. Unfortunately for women and children, they don’t hear “and scene” or “cut” in this horror. It has no end.
Ofentse Bogopane is a law student at Wits passionate about the human rights issues of women and children.
