Publications
Partners
It is really with such regret that when a family is grieving the loss of a family member, the ANCWL has the audacity to convey its condolences and finally acknowledge Khwezi as “brave”! Did she have to die first to be recognized by this body of women as brave? Their acknowledgment, at this rate, obviously comes at the highest price! That of life!
The ANCWL had ample of time while Kwezi was alive to offer her support in her bravery but instead, they did the extreme opposite. Under the leadership of ANCWL, Khwezi was victimised. She was shamed. They are correct by describing her as brave indeed, of which the same can never be said of this body.
To put it blatantly, the ANCWL acted like a coward. They failed to raise their voice in support of this young woman when it mattered most. When she was in the midst of trauma. It is too late now! Not only did they fail Khwezi but a dozen other women out there who might have been going through similar circumstances but due to their cold reception of Khwezi’s cry, these women never came forward.
It is really disheartening to realise that, the highest body of women in this country, a body meant to contribute towards absolute emancipation of women, to empower women, to defend women, to protect women and embrace women by prioritizing their agenda is actually a powerless body operating on hypocrisy. A body that is voiceless when needed most. In this case, it’s even worse because the league did actually voice out its opinion and it was clear they do not support Khwezi.
What is the point and purpose of having such a body then? Surely, we cannot just have them for the sake of protocol! Because it is politically correct to have them. Just like they did now. It was politically correct of them to realise a ‘civil’ statement as a league regarding the death of Khwezi. The only brave act the league can do, is to officially apologise for mistreating Khwezi! Now, that would be brave of them.
Life matters. And people’s lives are not about being politically correct and all protocol observed. It remains pretty clear that we need a better leadership crew in the ANCWL, one that will actually engage in platforms geared towards women empowerment. We need the brave women of Khwezi calibre in the ANCWL.
We certainly hope the league has learnt a genuine lesson of bravery from Khwezi and going forward, they shall apply so as to make this body, a body pro the needs of women at large. Rest in Peace Khwezi. Your bravery will forever remain behind. You are gone but your footprint remains as the shining star in the struggle towards the emancipation of women. You showed us , it is possible to speak out against injustice.
