“AVOID GETTING KILLED” – WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA WERE TOLD LAST WEEK AFTER 9 MURDERS IN 2 WEEKS!
The current Gender Based Violence situation in South Africa has me shook to my core!
Over the years I’ve written, supported and taken a stance on many topics and causes. I also share various parts of my life and some of those same topics on social media – mostly for fun but last week I spoke on a more serious topic. Something that matters and I wanted to bring awareness to because it’s important and it’s real. My video did not get approved at first – I did call out the president Cyril_Ramaphosa as well as their police – because what do you mean you are requesting women to avoid being murdered while you investigate what is possibly a serial killer on the loose in JHB?
So, I came here. Back to the old faithful blog and mind you, going through my monthly stats, many of you have been visiting, reading and engaging even though I’ve not shown up regularly so thank you and shame on me for temporarily trading in my words for likes and views over there on the blue app!
That said – WHAT IS GOING ON SOUTH AFRICA?
At the time of starting this piece on September 16th, 8 female bodies were found dead in the last two weeks in Kempton Park, Gauteng. It wasn’t even at the end of the same day that the number increased and I’m sure by the time I post this, that number would have climbed. These are just the bodies they found and reported but there is a long list of missing persons reported in the last 2 months – the last number I read was 75 but again, could have increased since. The victims left the house like any other normal day with family members waiting for them to return…. like any other normal day. Their surviving relatives will never be the same!
GBV was declared a national disaster by the president about 2 years ago and from my research, no action has been taken which is problematic – for everyone! This is something that needs to be brought to the forefront and not just in a crisis. Gender based violence is real, it’s happening and it’s not getting better!
Let’s talk about little 10-year-old Octavia who was found dead in a town called Joostenberg Vlakte just 20 minutes outside of Cape Town. A 14-year-old boy is allegedly responsible for raping her, then killing her and proceeded to leave her body beside a dam! Like what? These perpetrators will come younger and younger because there are little to no consequences for the older ones. They think it’s ok. They believe they’re entitled to take what they want from women and girls and not taught that rejection/being told NO is part of life. Move on!
And don’t tell me, “Not all men”. If that is your stance, then you are part of the problem! Show up and show that you are an ally. Example: Call out your male friends if they are abusing the women in their lives and that includes verbally, emotionally, sexually and physically. Start there! Simple.
When I walk into work and Canadians ask me, “what the hell is happening in South Africa” my first thought is “GOOD”. Good because the world is watching and the efforts of those who use their platforms are not going unnoticed but right after that my mind goes to the excuse of a justice system and the people running it. Poor leadership with a corrupt police system is a recipe for disaster! Women have been and continue to be failed by those in power. Something MUST change!
My South African sisters must go through a long safety checklist before leaving the house and whether it’s to go for a jog, the mall, work or to take their babies for a walk it’s the exact same and after all that they’re still looking over their shoulders. Why? These cowards will try and get away with it even in public!
I’ve been in Canada 20+ years, and that sense of vigilance has not left me just because I’m out of South Africa. We knew from a very young age that we had to be aware and be street smart. Sometimes it didn’t always work in my favour, which is why it never left me and as I type this, I remember a few incidences over the years on this side so no, just because I’m here does not mean we’re immune.
My fallen sisters: “You are mourned by your sisters around the world. What happened to you was NOT your fault. Your names deserve to be spoken and shouted out loud. You deserve to be remembered and celebrated. You mattered and your legacy matters. Your friends and family will mourn you and remember you forever.”
Readers, I leave you with this. If I was on a run in Cape Town – something I always do when I visit – imagine I’m attacked and somehow manage to overpower my attacker and proceed to kill him in self-defense. What would happen to me? I guarantee you I’d be found guilty. Period.
Something must change. Whether it’s the leadership or the consequences for sex offenders and murderers, something must change.
R.I.P. Beautiful souls.
