Women are Tired of Crying and Crying
BY: Takatso Lebenya
Every second, a woman has a tragic story of abuse to tell. Let alone those that have been stripped off their powers to do so. Those that left us without even warning others of the Black-Tie Monsters that are surrounding us and prowling around ready for their innocent victims.
Former State President Nelson Mandela once said: “Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated in all forms of oppression.”
How can we sing freedom songs and celebrate the democratic state of our country when our fellow women, sisters and children are kidnapped, violated, maimed and raped on daily basis? And to rub the salt to the wounds some are brutally murdered and silenced forever.
How can we pride ourselves of who we are when our young girls cannot wear their dresses because of the fear of the skulking eyes that will undress them.
How we become a normal society when leaving your daughter with your husband, son and brother brings feelings of uneasiness with one question in mind: “Is my child safe?”
What happened to our roots whereby we were taught that “Ngwana ke wa setjhaba,” and “Motho ke motho ka batho ba bang”
Our slaughterers are within our very own circles, where historically we thought we were safe. Women suffer at the hands of their abusers almost at every corner of our country. Where are we actually safe? Behind our own walls in our homes, in the neighbourhood, at work, churches and even at government service points women are violated.
Year in, year out, we spend public funds campaigning, shouting, crying and pleading with the hardened hearts of the perpetrators to transform but all this in vain.
We are tired of leaving in fear, but we stand to claim our dignity. To be seen and admired as valuable assets, admirable and honourable human species and not as sexual objects that can be utilised for some else’s gratification and thereafter be disposed of.
We have cried and cried, we have fought and fought, we have shouted and shouted, and now we begin to feel helpless, hopeless, dejected and lonely. We now look up to the ruling party and the State President to come to our rescue. Once more hear this tired and raspy voice of cry for help.
Yesterday it was a four-year-old Naledi Chaka, who went missing and later found dead in a pit toilet in Bloemfontein. Today is Uyinene, Amy-Leigh, Karabo, Baby-Lee Jegels and many more.
To all the women out there, let’s try to care and love each other. Let’s continue to support our sisters and children. The enemy is within us. We do not know how is the next target.
#Re kgathetse
#Re bohloko
#We are tired
#We reclaim our dignity and honour
In support of all women who have suffered in the hands of men, I condemn all forms of violation of women and children. It cannot ever be fashionable.
I call upon all women to stand together and leave no vacuum for perpetrators. Once more, we reclaim our dignity.
- Me TAKATSO LEBENYA, THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER OF THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY.