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Ten years ago I was 9 years old. Ten years ago our current president had a rape trial. You remember how he insisted that taking a shower can help prevent getting HIV/Aids.
I was 9 years old so I didn’t understand. I had little to say. I became more aware of the case as I grew older however. It makes my blood cold. For a long time, I had thought that if you are raped, people would hate you. seeing how Fezekile “Khwezi” Khuzwayo was attacked, even by women – particularly by the ANCWL.
A few weeks ago, I thoroughly mourned the death of Fezikile. I saw in her, a fire, a courage that I can only pray to one day possess. Her spirit haunts our justice system, it questions our humanity and taints our “Ubuntu”. I mourned the death of a woman who became a symbol of strength for women all around South Africa. She taught us how no one can truly tear your heart out if it’s made of gold and as I spiritually felt her blood smeared tears fall on my face, I remember thinking, “her truth was untold” …whatever her truth is, it remains untold. How could she speak out? She was only one voice in a million ruthless savages. It also shed light on how rape is perceived in South Africa. There’s a narrative that rape is only rape if you said “no”, if you physically fought. The same narrative that carries the notion that rapists are strangers and can never possibly be people we know. Rapists can’t be our friends. “You have a promiscuous history, so you were probably asking for it”. Instead of breaking such narratives, the ANCWL is too busy socialising and taking notes and making tea.
The only time you see the ANCWL advocating for women is when it is nationally noticed, i.e. the trial of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. They fear to emasculate men so they’re only pro-woman when the truth is condensed. They use our struggles for campaigns then turn around and suggest we protect men who have no respect for women. We’re not impressed! They speak of solidarity under false pretences because they turn around and act like possessed women. They do their level best to serve patriarchy and praise men every chance they get. As a women’s organisation of a ruling government – they are thoroughly useless! They silence our cries with their silence when we cry.
School taught me the realities of gender inequality. What they did not teach me is how some women can be comfortable in patriarchy. Women are still oppressed. These women claim to "stand against sexism" but we have absolutely nothing to back that up. They definitely don’t walk the talk. They ignore the cries of the LGBTIQAP+ community and simultaneously promote one crooked man's superiority.
I understand the evil nature of this organisation. I understand it was once a voice for women. Now understand how useless it is for my generation. You would think that with the rise of violence against women there would be some change in legislation. Rape convictions are still close to non-existent. These women have no sense of moral obligation. The saying goes, actions prove who someone is, words prove who they want to be. Clearly you're not as ambitious as you should be. #RIPKHWEZI
