Edition 8

n x m o W

wrap edition 2020

19 August 2020 | Volume 79 | Edition 8

“We are equal” -- public schools vs. private schools

Source: Sandile Ndlovu

Jack Phillips

The president’s decision to shut down public schools but allow private schools to decide for themselves has led to vigorous debate over what many call a deeply unequal education system.

D

uring an address to the country on Thursday, July 23rd, President Rhamaposa announced a four-week school holiday. The closure only applies to public schools and not private schools, animating organisations such as the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) to call for, and in some cases implement, the closure of private schools as well.

Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the Department, has disagreed with COSAS and argued that the financial situation of many private schools is precarious and that they cannot afford to close. A private school teacher in the Northern Cape, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The bottom line is this: if government schools close … their teachers carry on getting paid. At private schools, if the kids don’t come to school, the parents don’t pay “Leaving private schools to operate on fees, we don’t get paid, the school shuts down”. their own means that we’re also coming as However, Mr Ngobeni says that, “it is not fashan organisation to say that, no, this thing of ionable, of course, to go around closing private inequality must continue” schools, but we believe that private schools have enough facilities, they have enough resources, we do not worry about the conditions In a VARSITY interview with the national in their schools”. Mr. Ngobeni asserted that all spokesperson for COSAS, Douglas Ngobeni, private schools should close whether or not he said, “Leaving private schools to operate on they can effectively follow social distancing their own means that we’re also coming as an guidelines and hygiene measures. organisation to say that, no, this thing of inequality must continue”.

“I think we are equal, they (public schools) must In line with the long-standing position of COSAS also have online learning, as much as private that private schools should be nationalised, Mr schools have online learning” Ngobeni based his stance on the premise that any decision made by the Department of Basic Education should be equally binding across all He stressed that COSAS is in no way opposed schools. Explaining his organisation’s actions, to online learning, COSAS President-General, he said, “The call for a shutdown was made by Thabang Mokoena, told VARSITY that “I think COSAS primarily because of … the increasing we are equal, they [public schools]) must number of COVID-19 cases in schools”. also have online learning, as much as private

schools have online learning”.

Mr Ngobeni said that this would be possible because “the Department of Education has, what we now call, the COVID-19 legacy project which is worth around R6 billion”. This project will ultimately fund the dispersal of tablets and computers to all public-school students in South Africa, Mr. Ngobeni told VARSITY. “They [the Department] say a lot, and not much gets done. That’s what we’ve realized in the past.”

In response to this fund, a Mpumalanga public school teacher who spoke with us, on condition of anonymity, remarked that it was the first she had heard of it. “Personally I don’t think it is possible, it would be wonderful if it does happen though, I think not just for the current situation, it would have a big impact on the future of the kids and how they have to study as well”.

Other teachers from the North West and Gauteng, who spoke to VARSITY anonymously, expressed little faith in the fund: “If they are even failing to pay teachers like, we do not get our yearly increment, you think they can afford to do that?”

“They [the Department] say a lot, and not much gets done. That’s what we’ve realized in the past.”

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 |

NEWS

Confronting the “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence The lockdown has left many South African women vulnerable to gender-based violence. On Women’s Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to calls for drastic action.

Source: Nic Bothma

Caitlin MacDonald

F

ollowing nation-wide protests against gender-based violence (GBV), President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the prioritisation of women in economic policy and land reform.

“While South African Police data illustrates a drastic reduction in reported cases of domestic violence in the 2019/2020 financial year, this figure has been called into question.”

“In light of this, the Solidarity Fund has approved a R17 million project to expand sheltering services and broaden support for TCCs.”

The National Strategic Plan cites a 2016 analysis of 55 Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) which indicates that, in addition to providing women and their children with emergency accommodation and physical and psychological safety, shelters cleared a path for many to leave their The lockdown has isolated many women and confined them to homes abusers. In light of this, the Solidarity Fund has approved a R17 million with abusive partners. According to the national government’s GBV and project to expand sheltering services and broaden support for TCCs. Femicide Command Centre, the first three weeks of lockdown alone saw the national helpline for abused women and children receive twice the “On Wednesday, August 5th, the Cabinet approved long-pending usual volume of calls. While South African Police data illustrates a dras- bills which address several suggestions from the 2018 presidential tic reduction in reported cases of domestic violence in the 2019/2020 summit against gender-based violence and femicide.” financial year, this figure has been called into question. Lieutenant-General Norman Sekhukhune, head of the Police Crime Register, asserted Women-owned businesses are set to receive 40% of public procurethat the data could not be finalised due to the temporary closure of ment while just over half of the R75 million COVID-19 relief fund for a number of police stations where members of staff had contracted farming input vouchers will be reserved for rural women. In addition, COVID-19. the government aims to prioritise women in their land reform policy, expediting provision of productive assets.

After a month marked by the brutal murders of several women, the anti-GBV movement coordinated a number of nation-wide protests beOn Wednesday, August 5th, the Cabinet approved long-pending bills ginning on Saturday, June 27th. The cohort which coalesced outside which address several suggestions from the 2018 presidential summit Parliament in Cape Town created a forum for the survivors of sexual against gender-based violence and femicide. The first of these is the abuse to share their experiences, which was followed by the observaCriminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill tion of five minutes of silence in solidarity and mourning. which broadens the scope of the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Under the bill, offenders of an expanded category of vulnerable groups In his Women’s Day address on Sunday, August 9, President Ramaphosa will be compelled to disclose their record before applying to work with acknowledged protesters as the “inheritors of the noble legacy of the these groups. The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill allows survivors women of 1956” and declared the prominence of GBV and femicide in to access protection orders against acts of domestic violence through South Africa “a blight on our national conscience.” He affirmed the counelectronic means. try’s commitment to Generation Equality, a global campaign to achieve gender equality by 2030, and to a National Strategic Plan which aims to centre the survivors of GBV, foster women’s economic agency, and challenge patriarchal social norms.

NEWS

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 3

Migrant women: trapped in a web of oppression Held back by xenophobia, racism and misogyny, migrant women in South Africa are often silenced in patriarchal communities, refused health care and battle for asylum. This article is the first in a series relating the experiences of Migrant Women in South Africa.

Source: Sandile Ndlove

Jeremy Simpson

F

acing rampant xenophobia, limited access to services such as health care as well as Sexual- and Gender-based Violence (SGBV), migrant women and their stories often get lost beneath a simplified immigration narrative in South Africa.

“We do have some [women] coming from areas of economic deprivation, but the majority that we see are running away from war and conflict” A recent publication by the Sonke Gender Justice organisation pointed out the vulnerability migrant women in South Africa face during the current pandemic. Their exclusion from healthcare and the limited access to lawyers and organisations to whom they can report instances of SGBV are just two examples how they are more at risk.

The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern about this, calling on governments to take action to protect migrant women and girls in their COVID-19 response plans.

In South Africa, many of these cases of SGBV are seldom reported. Manifestations of patriarchal attitudes within immigrant communities breed a culture of silence for women, where men face no consequences. Nandi Rayner from the UCT Refugee Rights Clinic explained that when migrant women report instances of intimate partner violence to police, the police, often influenced by xenophobic sentiments, seldom take action and these women are then ostracised by their communities.

Ordinarily, organisations such as Refugee Social Services in Durban receive around five calls per month from women reporting violence. The in-

stances of SGBV they typically see are caused by alcohol- and drug-abuse, as well as financial issues.

However, there has been a fall in the number of calls over the lockdown, with the organisation receiving approximately four calls over five months.

While some in the organisation believe this may be a sign of a genuine decrease in intimate partner violence due to the alcohol ban, there is concern that this figure massively understates the actual number of cases because of a lack of access to services for survivors of SGBV. The UN Refugee Agency has called for these services to be designated as essential. Julia Odoul and Shingi West both work with refugees and immigrants in the Scalabrini Centre’s Women’s Platform in Cape Town. Their programme, which aims to build confidence in the women and help them integrate into South African society, has been able to shift much of their work to an online medium during the pandemic. One core precept of this programme is helping women come to terms with much of the trauma they have faced, a large amount of which is violence faced in their home countries.

“We do have some [women] coming from areas of economic deprivation, but the majority that we see are running away from war and conflict,” explained Ms West regarding the women they engage with at Scalabrini. Contradicting the dominant economic migration narrative, these women often flee out of genuine fear for their lives. These places, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Nigeria, are rife with political violence and often feuding militias divided by ethnicity.

“They leave their countries because of persecution … [and] one cause of this is SGBV.”

“There is lots of fighting in these areas and rape is often used as a weapon of war,” explained Yasmin Rajah, the Director of Refugee Social Services in Durban. “They leave their countries because of persecution … [and] one cause of this is SGBV.” Migrant women are also exploited on their journey to South Africa. The unregulated, often dangerous, routes are run by smugglers who force women to engage in transactional sex. With the coronavirus pandemic shutting down borders and restricting people’s movements, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) points out that women and children migrants have been disproportionately impacted. They are often at a “heightened risk of crime, violence, extortion and trafficking” due to intensified stigma against immigrants, especially with the growing number of these women abandoned mid-journey in countries such as Zimbabwe by smugglers unable to circumvent South Africa border controls.

Furthermore, migrant women face numerous obstacles to success in South Africa, often experiencing financial difficulties as well as language and administrative barriers. They are often unable to access health care due to confusing and contradictory regulations that make the process for treating migrants challenging, particularly during a pandemic.

While organisations such as Scalabrini may work to help get past many of these hurdles, xenophobia, often incited by political rhetoric, makes it far tougher for these women to assimilate into South Africa. Many have faced SGBV in the context of xenophobic attacks, facing similar experiences to what they fled from in the first place.

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 Page 4

NEWS

Tsitsi Dangarembga arrested amidst in-

Lebanon in Turmoil after Beirut explosion Mass explosions in Beirut have brought thousands of protestors to the street calling for an end to Hezbollah’s stranglehold and corruption.

creased government suppression Public disapproval of the Zimbabwean government is on the rise, so too are government crackdowns on dissent.

Source: AFP

Jack Phillips Source: BBC

Catherine Heron

O

n Monday, August 10, the nail in the coffin for the already unLebanese government in popular Lebanese government. its entirety resigned in response to the Beirut explosion.

“Mass marches took place

“Witnesses reported a smaller initial explosion followed by a devastating second explosion which left a 124 metre crater and untold destruction in its wake.”

This follows in the wake of a wave of resignations by key ministers in the government. The Lebanese capital, Beirut, was devastated after 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the harbour on Tuesday, August 4.

Shortly after 6pm, a large fire broke out at harbour and the warehouse storing the ammonium nitrate caught alight. Witnesses reported a smaller initial explosion followed by a devastating second explosion which left a 124 metre crater and untold destruction in its wake.

Authorities have estimated that there have been nearly 200 deaths, 6 000 injuries, and US$10–15 billion in property damage. In the aftermath of the disaster, it was discovered that over 85% of Lebanon’s grain stockpile was destroyed. In a country that is facing a devastating economic crisis with a spiralling currency and limited electricity supply, it is another

across the country calling for a revolution and an end to the Hezbollah stranglehold on Lebanon.”

Over the course of the weekend, protestors stormed essential government ministries and seized key offices as mass marches took place across the country calling for a revolution and an end to the Hezbollah stranglehold on Lebanon. Hezbollah has been accused of gross negligence by allegedly knowing about the unsafe storage of the ammonium nitrate in the harbour and refusing to act on it.

According to research analyst, David Daoud, Hezbollah is known to exercise considerable control over the Beirut harbour. However, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the disaster and has rejected the concept of an international investigation.

However, the protestors on the street refuse to trust the same political groups who caused this tragedy. On Arabic twitter, the hashtag #Prepare_ the_Gallows has been trending with many Lebanese citizens calling for an end to a government whose alleged corruption has brought the economy to its knees.

T

sitsi Dangarembga, the award-winning Zimbabwean writer, filmmaker and prominent feminist was arrested by Zimbabwean authorities on Friday, July 31st. She was one of two people engaged in a small-scale protest against constitutional violations, alleged corruption, and the country’s economic plight.

“anything that is contrary to the notion that ZANU-PF is ruling with the full consent of the majority of the people is very damaging for them...”

Dangarembga’s arrest follows the detainment of three other prominent Zimbabwean women: Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. They are members of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change alliance (MDC-Alliance), who were arrested during a peaceful protest on May 13th. They allege having been sexually assaulted as a means of torture while in police custody and are now facing trial on the grounds that their testimony is a politically motivated lie.

“who’s paying you?”

Ms Dangarembga was made to

surrender her passport and was released on bail the next day. She said during an SABC interview regarding her arrest that, “anything that is contrary to the notion that ZANU-PF is ruling with the full consent of the majority of the people is very damaging for them, and so they had to make sure that that protest would not happen and clamped down in a very strong and aggressive manner”.

During this interview, Dangarembga spoke of increases in arbitrary detentions, abductions and torture at the hands of government agents.

One of her placards read “FREE HOPEWELL FREE JACOB #ZIMBABWE”, referring to the Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of the political party Transform Zimbabwe.

After uncovering extensive government corruption, they were arrested and have since been denied bail.

Referring to these protests, Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa said on state television that the administration will “overcome attempts at destabilization of our society by a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with our foreign detractors.” This corroborates Ms. Dangarembga’s anecdote that the first question she was asked by the police upon her arrest was, “who’s paying you?”.

Zimbabwe is currently facing inflation levels of over 700%, hospital strikes, deficiencies in PPE, a shortage of medicine and a deepening food crisis of which the World Food Program says that half the country’s population will need food aid. It is also coping with an unofficial unemployment rate of over 80% and has 70% of its population below the poverty line.

EDITORIAL

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 5

The Fight That Continues

The Collective

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tiyani Rikhotso editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY EDITOR Gabriel Vieira editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

MANAGING EDITOR Vacant: Apply now! managingeditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za SENIOR COPY EDITOR Brad Brinkley copyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Savannah Costello juniorcopyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE EDITOR Kelsey Maggott online@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY ONLINE EDITOR Mbalenhle Mthembu onlinecontent@varsitynewspaper.co.za CREATIVE DIRECTOR Salma Noor Mahomed creativedirector@varsitynewspaper.co.za NEWS EDITOR Jeremy Simpson DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Caitlin Macdonald news@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Salma Noor Mahomed

I

n South Africa the month of August is dedicated to women - so firstly, happy women’s month! This wrap edition brings to focus the challenges, the issues, and the celebrations of women. Reading the articles published in this edition, as well as a whole lot on the internet, has made me realise that the biggest disadvantage one can do to themselves is to stop learning, and to stop listening. When there are issues that affect the people around us, it is a privilege to learn about the issue rather than to experience it. This is something I’ve been reading often, and I think that by making the choice to not use that privilege to do good by others, we fall into a space where change for the better is unthinkable.

of the many organisations who are constantly doing the work against the oppression of women, children, and the LGBTQ+ communities, even through the COVID-19 pandemic. These non-profits are doing the work that the systems in place fail to provide at a government level and a societal level.

“It is quite fascinating that many of us have the great privilege of possessing a world of information within our hands, and all we have to do is use it.”

So whilst we celebrate womxn in every form they take, we all must continue to do the work “The centre-spread of this edition recognises of raising awareness, learning, and teaching what we know to ensure that each of us plays some of the many organisations who are a role in changing the world. The idea of the constantly doing the work against the individual being able to make a difference, or able to ‘change the world’ may seem like oppression of women, children, and the LGBTQ+ being a fantasy and yet it is exactly what is happening communities, even through the COVID-19 today. The past few months has seen social media filled with activism around social justice ispandemic.” sues - and I’ve realised that just one post, share, or like can encourage another to engage with The focus of this second semester wrap edition what they’re being presented with. It is quite is on women. National Women’s Day commem- fascinating that many of us have the great privorates the 1956 women-led protest against the ilege of possessing a world of information withamendments of the apartheid government’s in our hands, and all we have to do is use it.

Urban Areas Act - this day in history brings to fore the role that women have played in the Additionally, this world of information at our fight for justice and freedom in South Afri- fingertips includes our entire year’s coursework ca. But it is also important that we learn that - it seems most of us will be switching tabs to this is not the only protest, and that women tutorials on our screens for the rest of the achave played a pivotal role in the fight for free- ademic year. I hope it is a safe semester for us dom over many years, against many laws, and all, and I hope you enjoy reading this edition as against all odds. As the youth it is our duty to much as I loved being a part of creating it. not erase this and in fact, highlight the womxn who have not been properly credited in our high school history lessons. Today, if we look at the fight against gender-based violence: the protests and organisations are so commonly women-led and women-run. We as the marginalised, are constantly fighting for change - an idea so glorified by society, that we must be the ones fighting, not willing to recognise that this fight should be long over by now. The centre-spread of this edition recognises some

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FEATURES EDITOR Natasha Nkutu DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR Lee-Anne Jacobs features@varsitynewspaper.co.za OPINIONS EDITOR Julia Rowley opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY OPINIONS EDITOR Chloe Kingdom opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za SPORTS EDITOR James Braham sports@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE NEWS EDITOR Seth Meyer onlinenews@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Hannah Van Teylingen DEPUTY ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Laylaa Edross onlinefeatures@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE OPINIONS EDITOR Temwani Nyama onlineopinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE LIFESTYLE AND SPORT EDITOR Sumitra Naidoo onlinesport@varsitynewspaper.co.za STAFF WRITERS William Barron Lerato Botha Nelisa Khwela Stefan Kirsten Bathandwa Magqaza Ntsako Mlambo Asenathi Ntamo Jack Phillips Emma Sacco COLUMNIST Duwayne Esau columnist@varsitynewspaper.co.z SOCIAL MEDIA CORRESPONDENTS Kendal Davids Zintle Mfaku ​ IMAGES EDITOR Ya’eesh Collins imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY IMAGES EDITOR Phelisa Kosi imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za FINANCE MANAGER Niitembu Augustinus finance@varsitynespaper.co.za ADS MANAGER Ntsako Moavodi ads@varsitynewspaper.co.za HR MANAGER Siphesande Mfaku DEPUTY HR MANAGER Vernita Caeser hr@varsitynewspaper.co.za MARKETING AND BRANDING MANAGER Nita Naidoo marketing@varsitynewspaper.co.za WEB EDITOR Sane Mhloma web@varsitynewspaper.co.za Brad Brinkley Nelisa Khwela Motsi Macheka Tiyani Rikhotso

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- Boitumelo Kgari

A Woman Ntsako Mlambo

I’d like to slide on the edge of a woman’s curves And dance on her bosom Maybe rest on her stretch marks and be one with the fire in her eyes Compose a song with the knots in her hair Bring light to her dark inner thighs and tell her that the sun dies everyday Just to spend another day with her And maybe then she will believe that she holds up the sky -Child.of.Afrika

Tiyani Rikhotso

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 7

#KEEPTHEENERGY

Source: Instagram - Keeptheenergy

Emma Sacco

Everything you need to know about the Keep the Energy Movement.

I

n September of 2019 the people of South Africa took to the streets to protest the gender-based violence that continues to take place in our country, demanding that justice be served for the thousands of womxn and children who have been raped and murdered over the many decades that rape culture has ruled our society. The Keep the Energy Movement and hashtag emerged on social media during this time of protest and has remained a prominent platform that supports the fight for the end of the on-going femicide in South Africa.

The gender-based violence protests that took place nearly a year ago were sparked by the rape and murder of UCT-student Uyinene Mrwetyana. The Keep the Energy Movement similarly began in response to this devasting murder, and soon many were using the term when posting on social media about the protests in South Africa. During the protests people also printed flyers with #keeptheenergy displayed on them and taped them to trees, lampposts and buildings throughout UCT and Cape Town.

“The phrase “Keep the Energy”, that is now widely known and supported, encourages people to keep the same amount of energy and passion that was seen during the gender-based violence protests last year” The phrase “Keep the Energy”, that is now widely known and supported, encourages people to keep the same amount of energy and passion that was seen during the gender-based violence protests last year, and to not let that energy die down while there are still womxn and children being murdered in South Africa, daily. Through keeping the hashtag alive as well as continuing to post on social media about the ongoing femicide, the Keep the Energy Movement reminds all of us that the fight for justice is far from over.

The Keep the Energy Movement primarily operates over social media, with accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The Instagram profile for Keep the Energy currently holds over 60 000 followers, with their bio stating: “Our aim is to fight gender-based violence against women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons. We cannot afford to die down.”

On these social media accounts, Keep the Energy posts information about the gender-based violence that continues to take place in South Africa, raising awareness around the violence that continues to take place against our womxn, children and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Along with this information, Keep the Energy posts individual photos and captions of those who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence, ensuring that they are not forgotten and that their deaths are acknowledged in the fight for the end of the ongoing femicide in South Africa.

“The Instagram profile for Keep the Energy currently holds over 60 000 followers, with their bio stating: “Our aim is to fight gender-based violence against women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons. We cannot afford to die down.”

The Keep the Energy movement continues to gain support and recognition as we fight for justice and for the end of rape culture and gender-based violence. Womxn, children and members of the LGBTQ+ community are targeted and killed every day in our unjust society, and movements like Keep the Energy work to keep their voices alive and ensure that they are remembered as we continue the battle against the femicide in South Africa.

Be sure to join the movement and become involved by following @keeptheenergy on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 8

FEATURES

The Reality of #ChallengeAccepted

Source: Instagram - @Kerrywashington

Reabetswe Khutsoane

F

ollowing a series of challenges that have come to social media, #ChallengeAccepted took Instagram by storm. The trend involved women having to nominate each other to post a picture of themselves in black and white as a form of empowerment. As great as this was, it was a classic example of a game of broken telephone.

The challenge actually began in Turkey. Turkish women were posting black and white photos of themselves on social media to signify that their photo could be the next one in the news, naming them as the latest victim of the ongoing femicide in the country.

In 2019, Turkey had recorded almost 500 femicides. Beyond the justice system failing victims of this cruelty, the government is considering withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention – a treaty established to protect women against gender-based violence.

“Turkish women were posting black and white photos of themselves on social media to signify that their photo could be the next one in the news, naming them as the latest victim of the ongoing femicide in the country.”

The trend quickly went viral and somewhere along the line, it lost its cause.

As it gained traction, the tag was not accompanied by the tags about the Istanbul Convention in all its posts, which is where it began to lose its cause.

The challenge began trending and was then seen as a challenge for women empowering each other, with many celebrities pairing it with the tag #womensupporitngwomen, involving captions that were about uplifting each other.

It became a trend that was a way of women empowering and uplifting each other. After some time, posts about the true cause of the challenge started gaining the necessary traction, with some celebrities like Jessica Biel and Christina Aguilera expressing their support for Turkish women.

The challenge also made several headlines with news agencies like BBC News and The Guardian. These articles highlighted the true cause of the challenge, which aided the challenge in achieving one of its purposes; raising awareness about the crisis in Turkey. Following the challenge, there were more news articles, globally, about the femicide in Turkey. They showed the ongoing protests in Turkey, fighting for the Istanbul Convention to remain in place.

“As it gained traction, the tag was not accompanied by the tags about the Istanbul Convention in all its posts, which is where it began to lose its cause.”

Although the message got lost in translation along the way, both messages spread by the trend can go together. In a world where women are facing gender-based violence in its various forms, the encouragement brought by empowering each other can fuel women to continue fighting for a just society.

The trend highlights the power that lies in unity. Empowered women working together is the first start to bringing about the ideal world that women are calling for. A world where women can live in peace and their basic right – their right to life – is not constantly under threat.

“The trend highlights the power that lies in unity. Empowered women working together is the first start to bringing about the ideal world that women are calling for. ”

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 9

‘Black is King’ was not made for Diary of a “Malfunctioning” Woman Africans Lee-Anne Jacobs

In honour of Women’s Day, I would like to share with you some of my personal reflections on the rigid ideals of femininity and how they have impacted my life.

I Source: Associated Press

Natasha Nkutu

A critical review of Beyoncé’s newest visual album

B

lack is King is a musical film and visual album written, directed and produced by Beyoncé. It loosely retells the story of the Lion King from a human perspective and serves as a visual accompaniment to her previous album ‘The Gift’. The film uses the songs from the ‘The Gift’ to mark the various points in Simba’s journey towards becoming king.

“‘BlackisKing’hasbeencriticisedmostly byAfricans who feel her representation of Africa was in-authentic” As a visual album and musical film, it was fantastic. It contained all the glamour, the swag, the fire and the visual mastery that comes with anything produced by Queen Bey. It featured most of the artists that contributed to ‘The Gift’ like Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, and Pharell. It also featured other celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland and Aweng Ade-Chuol.

But not everyone loved it. ‘Black is King’ has been criticised mostly by Africans who feel her representation of Africa was in-authentic. But here’s the thing, the film comes off this way because it wasn’t meant for Africans. Here’s why.

‘Black is King’ packages and presents Africa in a broad, romantic, colourful way that ignores the diversity and complexity of the continent. But, it’s not here to represent the history of Africa authentically, you can’t do that in one album or film. It’s here to serve as a feel-good story for African Americans, to give them a taste of their heritage by combining pre-colonial ideas of what Africa looked like with contemporary music and fashion. The title itself ‘Black is King’ is an affirmation that says blackness and black bodies are worth more than the

way they have been perceived and treated in the United States, especially in today’s political climate with the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“‘Black is King’ packages and presents Africa in a broad, romantic, colourful way that ignores the diversity and complexity of the continent. ” This film is not meant for Africans because the core of the film speaks to an experience that most Africans on the continent have never experienced and cannot relate to. It’s safe to say that most of us have never had to worry, question or even think about our blackness while living in Africa, because this is where it hails from. This is its origin point. We are surrounded by blackness and it doesn’t have to compete with anything else numerically. This film should ideally serve as an entry point into learning more and connecting to something deeper, not the whole story.

“This film is not meant for Africans because the core of the film speaks to an experience that most Africans on the continent have never experienced and cannot relate to. ” Just as there is no single narrative about Africa, there shouldn’t be a single way in which African Americans discover and connect with their heritage. All I can say to Queen Bey is please come to Africa. Come here and learn more, connect further, dig deeper, we would love to see you!

hate babies. There, I said it.

I’ve never been bamboozled by that hormone-inducing new baby smell, and I definitely don’t want one cooking in my oven; I am simply not interested in the prospect of motherhood. I thought as a free woman not stuck in a dystopian society where one’s ovaries are more valuable than gold that I was allowed to make that choice with no consequences. How silly and naive of me not to realise that as a woman almost all of my personal choices also come with a complimentary non-refundable gift of criticism and judgement.

I first felt the noose of accepted feminine behaviour as a child when I was judged for wanting to play with the guns and was then gently - but firmly - redirected to the little plastic kitchen my preschool had set up for the girls. The noose tightened a little more in high school when I was judged as a prude for not feeling flattered by the objectification of barely pubescent boys. How dare I not be validated that my ample bosoms had caught the attention of a hormone-fuelled meat sack who had the attention span of a C-cup walking past him.

“I first felt the noose of accepted feminine behaviour as a child when I was judged for wanting to play with the guns and was then gently - but firmly - redirected to the little plastic kitchen my preschool had set up for the girls.”

At seventeen the noose just about cut off my air supply when I calmly stated that I did not want children. The first response was the inevitable patronising attitude of my

friends and elders who assured me that I would change when I met the right man *insert eye roll here*. As time went on and it became clear that I was not changing, that patronising little voice soon turned into one of utmost judgement.

Out of nowhere, not wanting kids suddenly became my defining trait whenever I met new people; “Oh hi guys, this is my friend Lee. She doesn’t want babies; can you believe that? I know! So crazy!” Despite doing absolutely nothing wrong, I was made to feel like a malfunctioning woman who lacked the very essence of femininity; the burning desire to produce crotch-fruit. Oh, the shame my very fertile ancestors must have felt.

“Out of nowhere, not wanting

kids suddenly became my defining trait whenever I met new people.”

These so-called “norms” of femininity that are being peddled by our elders and the media have become shackles that attempt to bind us to a very narrow definition of what it means to be a woman. While stoning is out of the question, the constant judgement from those around you is no picnic either. It is exhausting, and annoying, and I will not pander!

Maybe some people need to judge to survive, maybe they’re simply passionate about kids, maybe they hate their lives, maybe it’s Maybelline; all I know is that malfunctioning woman or not - the noose of femininity will not hold me captive.

“These so-called “norms” of femininity that are being peddled by our elders and the media have become shackles that attempt to bind us to a very narrow definition of what it means to be a woman.”

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 10

FEATURES Selling the Fantasy

Source: BELatina

Brandy Zulu

The disconnect between body positivity and womxn

B

ody positivity has become a social media phenomenon in the 21st century. Everyone knows what it means and even though it’s supposed to be all inclusive, it’s not as perfect we think. Trans women have not only been excluded, but also ignored in these body positive movements because “trans women are not real women”, which, incidentally, is exactly why the term “womxn” was coined a way to “empower” trans women, but still remind them that they are not women.

Interestingly, although body positivity movements were popularised by women, they still take on a somewhat heteronormative stance: they still tend to centre around the male gaze, which stipulates the aforementioned standards, and this can include trans women. This then means that even cis women’s bodies that don’t meet the criteria of being desirable, are marginalised. Trans women, in this regard, are therefore not immune to the pressures of a heteronormative view of femininity, which can exacerbate the dysphoria they may already experience.

The lingerie industry gives us a lovely example of this. Victoria’s Secret came under fire a few months ago when they stated that trans models “This is the kind of body positivity that we need. One that’s not centred couldn’t sell “the fantasy”. Besides the outrage, there was something around being palatable for mass media, one that pushes the societal sinister and casual about the transphobia: Victoria’s Secret basically envelope, and one which, with enough exposure, helps people identify said trans bodies are not real bodies. This “fantasy” is one of desirability, within themselves a sense of peace and acceptance.” admittedly around sex appeal. Victoria’s Secret essentially told the world that trans people were not desirable, even if they “passed” (meaning their body fits the socially accepted norms of what their sex looks like).

There is a tiny glimmer of hope: Facebook groups such as Transpride provide an easy and accessible platform on which trans folk can help boost each other’s self-esteem, and talk well about each other’s bodies “Victoria’s Secret came under fire a few months ago when they stated that and offer much-needed support. Also, clubs such as Zer021 and Pink trans models couldn’t sell “the fantasy”.”

Panther in Cape Town are about as inclusive as platforms can be, for both cis and trans women, and spaces like these can really reconcile the idea of femininity for what it really is: a woman being themselves. Lest we forget, Then Savage X Fenty came along. It put on an incredible show, with not women are people, and what we think of their bodies does not make only trans models, but also trans models who didn’t “pass”. I can imagine them any less of a person. how, like me, trans people who watched that show thought, “Yes. I belong.” This is the kind of body positivity that we need. One that’s not centred around being palatable for mass media, one that pushes the “ Lest we forget, women are people, and what we think of their bodies societal envelope, and one which, with enough exposure, helps people does not make them any less of a person.” identify within themselves a sense of peace and acceptance.

GET INVOLVED AND #KEEPTHEENERGY POWA What they do As a feminist organization we strive to provide a safe space and equal society that is intolerant to all forms of violence against women in all their diversity and to ensure that women’s human rights are protected. Our services comprise of psycho-social support, community outreach and sheltering for abused women and their children.

How can one help?

Youth can continue to be the voice to the voiceless and advocate the rights of abused women in their respective communities. Never be afraid to speak out against all forms of violence. Due to the fact that POWA is a Johannesburg-based organization we have other organizations in all nine provinces that we have partnered with. We can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where you can find out about how to get involved. Counsellors are there to assist people who reach us there.

UYINENE MRWETYANA FOUNDATION What they do The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation was founded in 2019 in celebration of the life of Uyinene, whose untimely passing brought to the fore for many, the GBV debate across the country and internationally. Their focus areas include advocacy and awareness campaigns, holistic support services (providing safe havens for women and children, and support networks to survivors of GBV). The foundation also partners with tertiary institutions to provide courses on gender sensitive leadership skills.

MOSAIC

FemmeProjects

#LangaForMen

What they do

What they do

What they do

Based in Cape Town, MOSAIC exists to empower women and girl survivors of domestic violence and abuse by creating enabling environments for them and supporting them through their healing process and ensuring that they become positive, and active drivers of change in their own lives.

Femme Projects is a youth-led, womxn-led organisation started in 2014 that “started to develop a Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) and Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) curriculum for young womxn enrolled at under-resourced schools based in rural and urban communities across the Western Cape in South Africa.”

“#LangaForMen started in the middle of August 2019 by two young boys aged 21 years who’ve been involved in organizations that are advocating for rights of the people. Luyolo Lengisi and Siyabonga Khusela saw the need of opening an organization that would help a boy child to be better men not be a perpetrator but to be a protector by respecting the society and understanding the real meaning of manhood.”

Femme Projects works on providing safe spaces and access for all to talk and ask questions about their bodies, sex and all aspects related to sexual and gender identity. They believe that the current education system needs drastic “We want to educate and inspire young As an individual, you can make donations to the founreform to enable youth to make well-informed boys to be protectors not perpetrators. dation on their website. On their website, you can also “Our head office in Wynberg also hous- choices.

Understanding that gender based viosubmit a form to volunteer for roles such as a workshop es a Skills Training kitchen and a Trainlence starts and ends with men.” facilitator, motivational speaking, being a brand ambas- ing Centre. MOSAIC has numerous outsador or a self-defense skills trainer. One can also volun- reach centres across the Western Cape.

Watch this video to find out more abut teer in support (as a counsellor or trauma debriefer) or in These include Mitchells Plain, Khayelittheir work. leadership. sha, Site B, Harare, and Philippi. MOSAIC reaches more than 100,000 people each year through these offices.”

How can one help?

MOSAIC’s main objectives include increased availability and accessibility to high quality, integrated services for survivors of abuse and domestic violence.

Support during lockdown

How can one help?

The foundation said that in compliance with the country’s Covid-19 lockdown regulations, it had to halt all public events and campaigns planned for the month of April and instead make use of online services.

Image: POWA Facebook page

LangaForMen is looking for donations for their NPO setup, as well as for their crisis centre. Donate via their website langaformen.co.za. Also, check out their Instagram.

“We aim to continue raising awareness about Gender Based Violence (GBV) even during the lockdown period, as some people are more vulnerable now, stuck in their homes with perpetrators of GBV. We will be focusing on the Foundation’s three key pillars, namely prevention, support and leadership development”, the foundation said in a statement.

Image: FemmeProjects Instagram by Neobaepi

Image: MOSAIC Facebook page

Challenges during lockdown As we were still fighting the scourge of domestic violence in our communities unfortunately we were hit hard by COVID19. With no knowledge and preparation about the pandemic few of our offices had to close and we worked from home trying to flatten the curve but the calls of help of domestic violence continued to rise. We then had to conduct an emergency plan of action and attend COVID19 training so that we can try and continue to offer our services through social media and telephonically.

How can one help?

Support MOSAIC’s operations by donating what you can to their organi-

sation, via their website.

Image: Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation Facebook page

How can one help?

Supporting Femme Projects allows them to fund their operational costs as well as to continue their educational workshops.

You can choose to donate your time as a volunteer, or donate your money to support their operations. In addition, you can also donate to their project needs, which includes stationery, books, and craft materials. You can donate via their website.

Image: #LangaForMen gogetfunding page

COLUMN

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 13

A month of one’s own A little more than hashtags and slogans

By Duwayne Esau

Periods like Women’s Month, where we highlight the issues facing marginalized groups in society, play the important role of reminding us that we have much work to do. The only problem is that we never actually do the work that we recognize needs doing. If we are simply going to use this month to point out all the issues women face without providing solutions to them, then August is nothing but a month of large-scale virtue signaling. It cannot be the case that we spend an entire month diagnosing a problem but when that month is over, we have no solutions.

We repeat this process annually and in essence August turns into a way for us to feel good about paying attention to Women’s issues for a few days. The month of August should be dedicated to finding solutions to the problems women face in society, and if they are good solutions they will take on a life of their own beyond the month of August. Solutions continue where months end. There is a simple solution which we can implement to uplift women in South Africa: inject a healthy dose of liberalism in their lives.

“If we are simply going to use this month to point out all the issues women face without providing solutions to them, then August is nothing but a month of large-scale virtue signaling.”

The issues that women face are plenty fold, however, my aim here is to provide basic solutions which can be implemented overnight. As such I will not address every single issue but simply tackle those that are significant hurdles to women in South Africa. There are three solutions I would like to propose that can make a substantive change in the lives of women. They are 1) Property rights, 2) Social mobility, and 3) gun ownership. The first of these three, property rights, is currently under threat by the ruling party’s intention to change the Constitution so as to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.

“If women, along with every other South African, are not allowed own property they will never become prosperous and issues such as poverty among females will remain persistent. “ Gender-based violence (GBV) has become an issue of great concern among South Africans, it has become apparent that women are the victims of a number of violent and sexual crimes.

There has been much debate as to how we should go about resolving this, most proposals aim to address the perpetrators committing the crimes. My proposal is that we promote and assist gun ownership among women. The reason for this is simple, if perpetrators who target women know that there is a high probability that women are armed, they are less likely to commit a crime against them. Of course there will be those who say that women should not have to carry guns in order to feel safe. I agree, it should not be the case but unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world and criminals exist. We can argue in perpetuity about how the world ought to be but that will not change how the world actually functions. So, let us arm women and allow them to be their own first responders.

“My proposal is that we promote and assist gun ownership among women.”

I have presented my liberal proposals for how we can make the month of August a meaningful month for women. I am now challenging everyone reading this to think of their own practical solutions to the problems women face in South Africa. I am calling out the feminists, the women’s rights activists, the GBV protesters, our political leaders, and all those who call themselves progressives. We can shout at each other all day long but if we are not going to formulate solutions in this month, then it will just be another month for us to feel good about ourselves. It serves “They are 1) Property rights, 2) Social mobility, and 3) gun ownership. no one, least of all women, for us to raise our collective voice “ in August if all goes back to normal and the misogynists stop tweeting #WomensMonth on September 1st. We can dedicate a month to every group of people who are marginalized in society, The first two of these three solutions, property rights and but a month of one’s own means nothing if your activism spans social mobility, are heavily intertwined with each other. It is only within the margins of that month. widely known that property rights underpin wealth and wealth creation. If individuals are allowed to own property, they can use this as a foundation from which to build their wealth. This is what “I am calling out the feminists, the women’s rights activists, the GBV allows individuals to become socially mobile, meaning it allows protesters, our political leaders, and all those who call themselves them to move up the socioeconomic ladder. If women, along progressives.” with every other South African, are not allowed own property they will never become prosperous and issues such as poverty among females will remain persistent. The third, gun ownership, is a controversial proposal which many people believe should not be allowed, not only for women, but for any South African.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression on any topic by the columnist. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers.

Letters to the Editor can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 14

OPINIONS

US Sportswomxn: Athletes to Activists US womxn athletes seamlessly integrate politics into sports with their 2020 league seasons, presenting male sporting leagues and the world with a blueprint for combining the pursuit of justice with the love of the game.

Chloe Kingdom

A

merican sporting leagues are notorious for enforcing an apolitical environment in and out of the game. Its conservative stakeholders barre political discourse from entering the leagues to prevent fans from feeling alienated by outspoken athletes. Male athletes have certainly pushed back against these limitations and advocated for change in sport.

However, the increase of womxn, nonbinary and femme people in the industry has brought about a continuous wave of transformation to dismantle the architecture of games built exclusively for men, by men, in favour of more inclusive practices that foster talent across a variety of demographics. Two of the most prominent womxn’s sporting leagues in the US, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), are campaigning for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement during their 2020 seasons. The WNBA has dedicated their season to pursuing justice for Breonna Taylor and individual teams in the NWSL have established their solidarity with the movement through a series of actions, including teams taking the knee during the national anthem. The actions of these leagues reflect the changing role of sports in politics, as politics has become more integrated into sports.

her with Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock. Players stepped out of their busses in their pre-game uniform, complete with “Vote Warnock” branded t-shirts. Two days later, Rev. Warnock reportedly raised $185 000 and gained 3 500 new donors after their show of support. Loeffler’s mid-July statement rejecting the aims of the BLM movement has been interpreted as racist and unsupportive of her own team players and the league.

The call to remove her from the ownership board has also received league-wide support, but Loeffler is adamant to retain her stake in the team’s ownership.

Some NBA players have been influenced by the WNBA to join the Breonna Tayler media campaign. The mutual respect and friendship across the men and womxn’s basketball leagues is “unwavering, but that doesn’t move the needle [for gender equality in basketball],” Diana Taurasi shared candidly, who is another All-Star league veteran. Furthermore, the support from the NBA does not seem to have swayed male fans’ opinion about the womxn’s league. Across various social media platforms dedicated to reporting on US basketball, it is predominantly men who criticise the womxn for combining their sports career with social justice activism: insults use misogynistic, racist and queerphobic language to discriminate against their participation in sports. Their comments would be taken seriously if they put forward rational and interesting arguments that critique womxn’s performances based on their skill level and their career highs and lows—after all, this is part of the enjoyment around sport. However, their online rants are made in vain due to the baselessness of their claims and their perpetual fixation on men’s sporting achievements, which are invariably held as the gold standard for all players.

These fans may share their opinions online for engagement, but they end up contributing to an echo chamber.

The WNBA has skillfully navigated this integration since their pre-season training in the WNBA “bubble (i.e. the “Wubble”) at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The demand for racial justice has been brought to the basketball courts, with teams warming up in t-shirts branded with the BLM slogan, and in recent weeks, with the petition phrase, “Arrest the Cops Who Killed Breonna Tayler,” to draw attention to the plight of her case. The expression of solidarity from the entire player’s league is remarkable. They have orchestrated joint court walk-offs during the national anthem; they have held a Sandra Bland memorial—another black womxn who died under tragic circumstances in police custody—prior to one of their games and they have successfully petitioned to incorporate Given the unprecedented living and playing conditions ‘Black Lives Matter’ into the court design. throughout the WNBA and NWSL seasons, the uncertainty of league players signing on for the season, and the anxiety of These actions have shown that every athlete playing on the those who have been injured throughout, the athletes from court this season publicly supports black rights, black libera- both leagues have performed extremely well. Their choice to tion and a commitment to dismantling institutional racism in sacrifice potential media contracts or campaigns, and their America. Jewell Loyd, the shooting guard for the WNBA Seat- willingness to receive negative publicity for their advocacy tle Storm, commented on the necessity for the league to re- requires sacrifice—something which is often demanded of spond to the current moment: “In a league with all women, womxn, especially. predominantly black, it’s important that we take a stand together.”

A sporting legacy derived from athletic achievement alone is admirable, but in conjunction with integrity and a spirited determinism to transform society, these American womxn “The demand for racial justice has been brought to the basketball are trailblazers who have more than earned their due as outcourts” standing members of the sports community.

The “Vote Warnock’’ campaign is another notable initiative, petitioned by Sue Bird, the league’s legendary point guard and All-Star veteran, and supported by the players. The campaign aims to eject Kelly Loeffler from office, a Georgian senator and a co-owner of the WNBA Atlanta Dream, by replacing

“...every athlete playing on the court this season publicly supports black rights, black liberation and a commitment to dismantling institutional racism in America. ”

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 15

“We will not be led by womxn”: a history of protest action in modern South Africa

Source: Ya’eesh Collins

Julia Rowley

Despite monumental achievements in our history - such as the Women’s March of 1956 - the role of womxn in post-democratic protest action is still unrecognized and undermined.

N

ational Women’s Day in South Africa celebrates the Women’s March that took place on the 9th of August 1956. During this march, over 20 000 womxn gathered in front of the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the implementation of pass laws for womxn. Their efforts certainly deserve to be seen as a significant moment in our history - the march was one of the largest anti-apartheid protest actions and was solely organised by womxn.

The march showed that the idea that feminine bodies are oppositional to masculine bodies - in that they are fragile and should only be concerned with matters of the home - is inane. Womxn protestors sang and marched with small children and babies strapped to their backs, and many arrived wearing their domestic worker uniforms. Although pass laws were extended to womxn, the march created the space for feminine community leaders to come forward and organise against the apartheid state. The protest also gave South Africa some of our most famous and inspirational anti-apartheid activists such as Lillian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph. Their efforts are impressive when one looks at the field of social change and community leadership. In the twentieth century, activism was incredibly male-dominated - the ANC only started to accept female members in 1943 and womxn community leaders were often disrespected and ignored.

Unfortunately, not much has changed in the twenty-first century.

“Their efforts certainly deserve to be seen as a significant moment in our history...”

Most South Africans are aware of the Marikana Massacre. In 2012, 34 striking miners were shot and killed while protesting for humane working conditions and the event is seen as one of the most shocking displays of police brutality towards protestors in democratic South Africa.

However, most South Africans are not aware of the role that the womxn of Marikana played in the protest action - both before and after the massacre. While the miners were striking, the womxn supported them by taking on additional jobs. They were also responsible for organising credit deals with tuck shop owners so that the families of the miners could survive on a lower household income. Post-Marikana, the womxn of the community protested against the extreme police brutality that killed and injured their husbands and began the non-profit organisation Sikhala Sonke. The organisation aims to uplift the Marikana community, and hold Lonmin accountable for the poverty that their unlivable wages have helped sustain in the area. In ten years, the platinum producer has built three homes in the town, despite receiving a $15 million loan to uplift the community.

Similarly, in an issue a bit closer to home, the womxn organisers and participants in the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements were often discredited and ignored by their male counterparts. At UCT, #RMF womxn leaders were determined to “break the cycle of history silencing the voices of black womxn,” says organiser Kealeboga Ramaru in an article for Feminist Africa.

According to Ramaru, black men sometimes left the movement because they did not want the fight against institutional racism to be distracted by “petty gender issues.” In the documentary, Everything Must Fall, Wits student and activist Ntokozo Moloi says that “when we spoke as womxn, you could tell by their body language… it’s like they get bored. One person stood up and said ‘we will not be led by womxn, and we will not be led by gay people.’” Vuyani Pambo, a prominent student leader at Wits during this time, confirms this: “even when we had womxn leading, it was not enough until the male spoke.”

“A movement like Fallism, which claims to stand against racial and class oppression, is fatally flawed if it alienates and excludes members of its own movement.”

It is clear why womxn need to be more involved in activism and creating social change. Womxn, particularly black and queer womxn, experience multiple forms of oppression and so are often more attune to the problem areas in our society which exclude and marginalise others.

A movement like Fallism, which claims to stand against racial and class oppression, is fatally flawed if it alienates and excludes members of its own movement. Furthermore, when womxn are involved in community leadership and calling for social change, their efforts need to be recognised. Not simply because this would only be fair - but also to inspire more young womxn to fight for a more just South Africa.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 16

OPINIONS

Gender-Based Violence: Still a Womxn’s Problem?

Source: Ya’eesh Collins

Emma Sacco Nearly one year after the gender-based violence protests took place in South Africa, the femicide still remains a burden that womxn are seemingly carrying alone.

O

n Saturday, August 24th 2019, 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana was raped and murdered when collecting a parcel from the Clareinch post office in Claremont, Cape Town. Uyinene was a young woman in her first year at UCT who was loved by many, and her devastating murder had a massive impact on not only her friends and family but the entirety of South Africa.

Gender-based violence is an epidemic that has affected South Africa for decades. Current statistics report that every three hours a womxn is murdered in our country. Whilst the fight against this femicide has been ongoing for many years, it was Uyinene’s rape and murder that incited the people of South Africa to say that enough is enough.

“GBV is not a womxn’s problem, it is society’s problem, and it will never end unless all South Africans decide to fight it, together.”

A month after Uyinene was murdered, protests sprung into action across South Africa, with thousands joining the massive uprising in Cape Town on September 5th 2019. Alongside Uyinene’s death, it was the lack of action taken against rapists by the police and government and the increasing number of gender-based violence cases in the country that motivated these marches to take place nearly a year ago. The Keep the Energy movement continues to be a prominent influence in the fight against gender-based violence today.

With the Keep the Energy Instagram account having over 60 000 followers a year after the GBV protests took place, this movement proves to be very effective in its aim to raise awareness around the rapes and murders that plague our society. Keep the Energy continues to post about the murders of our womxn and children that don’t reach the front pages of our newspapers, reminding all of us that these murders are happening every day despite the lack of media coverage on them. People continue to share posts from the Keep the Energy social media platforms and use the hashtag #keeptheenergy when posting about the femicide in South Africa, to keep this movement alive and at the forefront of the fight for justice—a fight for those who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence.

Whilst Keep the Energy has been effective over the last year in raising awareness for gender-based violence, it seems that the responsibility of informing others and campaigning for an end to gender-based violence still rests on the shoulders of womxn. The Keep the Energy Instagram account reports that 83% of its followers are womxn, meaning that only 17% of them are men.

“The Keep the Energy Instagram account reports that 83% of its followers are womxn, meaning that only 17% of them are men.”

Over the many years that South Africa has endured gender-based violence, it has always been womxn fighting for a change—fighting to end the brutal rapes and murders—with the majority of men staying out of the fight or claiming that it is not their battle at all. We will never be able to end gender-based violence without the help from the men of our society, and whilst having a 17% engagement is better than nothing, it is not nearly enough. We need the men of South Africa to stop turning a blind eye to the gender-based violence that happens every day and call out other men for sexual assault.

We need men to help us end the rapes and murders of womxn in South Africa; we need men to be our allies. GBV is not a womxn’s problem, it is society’s problem, and it will never end unless all South Africans decide to fight it, together.

Keep the Energy continues to ensure that the people of South Africa are informed about the femicide that plagues our country, though the statistics reflect that it is mostly womxn who react to and share its contents. To the men of South Africa: Join the fight to end gender-based violence, we need your help and support to protect the womxn of our society. Follow Keep the Energy on Instagram: @keeptheenergy.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 19 August 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 17

‘Womxn’ with an X: A term for every woman

Source: Caldronpool.com

Lerato Botha The much-debated reinvented spelling of the word ‘woman’ is a form of female liberation rather than a step backwards.

T

he term “womxn” started making waves on social media during the middle to late 2010s, with feminist movements trying to coin the term as a rejection of the original spelling of the word “women” with its direct connection to the word “men”. Aiming to separate women from male dependence both linguistically and socially by replacing the “e” with the “x”, the term is also geared towards promoting inclusivity among those who personally identify as feminine.

ity for those who do not. By ridding the term of its connection to “man”, it also becomes a representation of independence from the patriarchy, which only further aids the feminist movement. In the end, if one does not identify with the term’s meaning they can simply ignore it and leave it for those who do.

“It aims to step away from rigid gender roles and create an umbrella term under which transgender, non-binary, genderfluid and genderqueer people can identify themselves.”

“When it comes to inclusivity, it does not have to be “either/or.”

It aims to step away from rigid gender roles and create an umbrella term under which transgender, non-binary, genderfluid and genderqueer people can identify themselves. Unlike the previously reinvented spelling of “womyn” with a “y” in the mid-1970s, the spelling with an ‘x’ does With regards to the perception that men are being excluded from this innot only function as a term of liberation for white, cisgender females, clusive movement, it can be argued that the same option of self-identification should be awarded to those typically regarded as masculine who but for all races and gender identities. do not fully identify with the standardized male. However, the fact that this term is not yet in existence should not be grounds for completely of the term “womxn”, as the term does not detract from, but “Aiming to separate women from male dependence both linguistically and disposing rather adds to the goal of empowering the marginalised. socially by replacing the “e” with the “x”, the term is also geared towards promoting inclusivity among those who personally identify as feminine.”

However, despite the term’s inclusive efforts, when The Wellcome Collection museum in London used the term in their women’s campaign in 2018, a great debate over its relevance was sparked. Many felt that it promoted an exclusion of men, whilst others believed that genderfluid and transgender people did not need to be specially categorized.

Now, it is understandable that many transgender people are perfectly fine with the original spelling of the word. However, having the reinvented term for those who do not completely identify with the standardized “woman” presents no harm to those who find themselves more drawn to the traditional word. The term “womxn” opens up a space of inclusiv-

“Many felt that it promoted an exclusion of men, whilst others believed that genderfluid and transgender people did not need to be specially categorized.”

When it comes to inclusivity, it does not have to be “either/or.” There is nothing wrong with allowing human beings to identify themselves with whatever makes them most comfortable. Therefore, having multiple terms, such as “womxn”, available for self-identification can only be a positive thing in the fight for inclusivity.

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

@VarsityNews | 17 June 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 18

OPINIONS We Are The Broken People

Although alcohol is a catalyst for domestic violence, it cannot be held accountable for the femicide in this country.

Source: Reuters

Ntsako Mlambo

S

outh Africa has long been ensnared by the pandemic of femicide. Our rate of sexual violence is the highest in the world; between 2018 and 2019, the average number of rape cases recorded by the police per day was 114. Sexual and domestic violence has affected our society immensely and its spread has not been suppressed - it kills women every day.

icide stands on its own - it is a South African problem and it does not need men to be intoxicated for it to happen. The banning of alcohol will not help because we live in a patriarchy that allows men to infringe upon the rights of women. To say that alcohol is the reason why men are so reckless and vicious towards women is to ignore the problem. In a recent case of femicide, Liyabona Mabishi, 16, was stabbed thirteen times by a gang of five men who attacked her because she was lesbian.

Her sexuality defies deeply-entrenched heteronormative ideals and threatens patriarchy as some men believe that women are created for their use and disposal.

The recent reinstatement of the alcohol ban was welcomed

by Police Minister Bheki Cele, who said that the ban would bring down sexual violence rates as “most people are raped coming from shebeens, they are raped around shebeens or they are raped in shebeens.” However, while it is true that the intake of alcohol is a catalyst for domestic violence, it is not None of the men who attacked Liyabona Mabishi were intoxthe direct cause. icated in any way. This young woman was killed because of her gender in a world that does not allow her to fully claim her “Men kill women regardless of their access to alcohol, because own body and choices as her own. Because Liyabona Mabishi the society in which we live has allowed them to do so.” was a woman living in a man’s world she was expected to play by their rules, even if that meant her death.

Anyone can see that alcoholism causes conflict and violence in South Africa. Many people have grown very dependent on it, and this is especially dangerous when the alcoholic is a man. They feel like they cannot go without it and usually take out their frustrations on women. Similarly, when they do have access to alcohol, they end up inflicting sexual and physical violence on women. However, to say the recent ban will decrease the spike in femicide is not true. We cannot use alcohol as a scapegoat.

“To say that alcohol is the reason why men are so reckless and vicious towards women is to ignore the problem.”

Anyone would agree that alcoholism in South Africa is a problem that has torn people apart and fostered broken homes.

However, in the case of femicide, it cannot be blamed for causing devastation in people’s lives. Only misogyny can be held accountable for this. Patriarchy does not need alcohol to Men kill women regardless of their access to alcohol, because progress. It runs on its own dimensions - dimensions created the society in which we live has allowed them to do so. Fem- by men.

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

@VarsityNews | 17 June 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 19

Sportswomen everyone should be following on Instagram Five incredible women who are dominating sports

Source: Instagram

Nelisa Khwela

W

omen’s sport is yet to be as highly publicized as their male equivalents, however, this Women’s Month it is important to put the spotlight back on women who are absolutely dominating their respective sports. Here is a list of five accomplished women in male-dominated sports that everyone should be following on Instagram.

Marta (@martavsilva10) Marta Vieira da Silva is arguably the most talented women’s soccer player in history. As a forward for the Brazilian national women’s soccer team, Marta is a highly decorated player. She has won The Best FIFA Women’s Player award 6 times – which is a record for both male and female players. She is also a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for women in sport. Her page features some glimpses into her life, her activism and her rubbing shoulders with some of the sporting greats.

Tasmin Pepper (@tjp31) Formula 1 is a notoriously difficult sport to get into, even more so for women. Last year the W Series, an all-female racing championship, was established for women to be able to compete in their own Formula 1 championship. Pepper was the first woman ever to win a national championship race in the South African Formula VW and secured a top ten finish in the W Series’ inaugural season. Pepper is doing a great job in putting South Africa on the map in women’s motorsports. Give her a follow to see how she progresses in her motorsport career and inspires women to pursue their goals.

the Year award. In 2019, Felix spoke out against Nike after they wanted to reduce her pay by 70% for reduced performance after giving birth. Her Op-Ed piece on the lack of financial protection for pregnant athletes prompted Nike to change their policy. Follow her for motivational captions, her activism for gender equality and black lives as well as her dedication to family, fitness and her career.

Vicki Golden (@vgolden423) According to her bio, Golden is a 4-time X-Games medalist in Moto X Racing and is also a world record holder. Similarly, she is the first female to compete with men in any Freestyle Moto X event. Golden is the first woman to earn a Supercross license which allows her to compete in the Arenacross qualifying events against men. Give her a follow for some really cool action shots and clips of her doing stunts. It is also very inspiring to see a woman absolutely dominating a sport that has always been considered as typically “masculine”.

Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) Arguably one of the greatest sportspeople of our time, Williams continues to inspire through her hard work and determination to be the best. She has won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles and 4 Olympic gold medals amongst a lengthy list of other achievements that have awarded her the title of the greatest female tennis player of all time. Whilst a large pay gap still exists between sportswomen and their male counterparts, Williams has managed to be featured on Forbes’ list of 100 highest paid athletes. In 2017, she was the only woman Allyson Felix (@af85) to be featured on the list. She is committed to advocating for Felix has won 6 Olympic Gold medals for athletics and is the equal pay for women in tennis and fights against racial and only female to do so. She has also won more career medals gender inequality. Whether you’re a tennis fan or not, it canthan any male or female in World Athletics Championship his- not be disputed that she is a powerful force in women’s sport. tory and is a five time recipient of the Jesse Owens Athlete of

@VarsityNews | 17 June 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 20

LIFESTYLE&SPORT

Kyrie Demonstrates What Allyship Looks Like Brooklyn Nets star commits $1.5 million to help cover the salaries of WNBA players who opt to sit out the 2020 season

Image: Bleacher Report

Sumitra Naidoo

The income inequality gap between male and female sports is vast. According to CNBC, a WNBA players’ salary “does not even compare to that of her male counterparts”.

The top annual salary of a WNBA player is reported to be around 200 000 dollars which doesn’t evenweigh-up against the lowest salaries of male NBA players.

“The WNBA stated that they will only cover the salaries of players who can prove they are at risk of getting the COVID-19 virus”.

Irving, Brooklyn Nets’ point guard, identified this issue and provided a solution by setting up the KAI Empowerment Initiative. This initiative will cover the salaries of these respective WNBA players who will not be getting paid. According to LWS Pro Basketball, Irving wanted to help with the financial burden as well as support those who have made the sacrifice to sit out

The first three tips of the Guide to Allyship state that one must: Take on the struggle as your own; transfer the benefits of your privilege to those who lack it and amplify the voices of the oppressed before your own. Kyrie demonstrates how With many WNBA stars opting to sit out the season to fight male athletes can act as allies to their female for social and racial injustice, such as that of Atlanta Dream’s counterparts, specifically in terms of the repercussions of Renee Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes, they will not get the pay gap. paid. Additionally, 10 other WNBA players have also opted out of playing the 2020 season because of health concerns and personal reasons. The WNBA stated that they will only “The first three tips of the Guide to Allyship state that one cover the salaries of players who can prove they are at risk must: Take on the struggle as your own; transfer the benefits of getting the COVID-19 virus. of your privilege to those who lack it and amplify the voices of the oppressed before your own”.

“Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets’ point guard, identified this issue and provided a solution by setting up the KAI Empowerment Initiative. This initiative will cover the salaries of these respective WNBA players who will not be getting paid”.

Without pay, the financial strain impacts the lives of these athletes’ families and overall wellbeing. In comparison, if a male NBA star had opted to sit out the season, they would not have to worry about a large financial risk since their earnings are so much more. For example, Golden State’s Steph Curry earned over $40 million during the 2019 season. Kyrie

In terms of the South African context, this pay gap is even larger. Even if female squads perform better, financial incentives are vastly different. Take a look at the infographic below, sport should not be male dominated, and it comes down to financial incentives as a result of exposure. This is what contributes to keeping certain sporting codes reserved for men. Male athletes need to identify the fact that they have an advantage and they need to act as allies to their female counterparts because not only has she probably been told that certain sports are “for boys” but when she makes it as a pro, shewon’t even earn half of his salary.

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

@VarsityNews | 17 June 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 21

Self-care as Activism Why self-care and wellness, especially for women of colour, are revolutionary practices Source: UCT Mountain and Ski Club

Source: Afropunk

Tiyani Rikhotso

D

espite what we have been sold on social media platforms like Instagram or by brands capitalising on the self-love movement; self-care is not about bubble baths, aesthetic weekend getaways or fancy face masks. Similarly, wellness isn’t about doing the new trendy workout or popping supplements and superfood powders.

Put simply, self-care refers to the steps we take to prioritise our wellbeing. It is led by kindness and is a practice that encourages us to build a good relationship with ourselves and to do better for our minds and bodies. The concept of wellness is similar. It promotes building awareness and embracing choices that bring you closer to a healthier life. Wellness asserts that health isn’t solely about your physical health, but that your mental, emotional and social wellbeing are important too.

“Put simply, self-care refers to the steps we take to prioritise our wellbeing.”

For women, self-care practices and wellness habits are vital for nurturing our bodies that are often overworked and overburdened. This is even more important for women of colour who have often borne the triple burden of race, poverty, and gender.

Historically, women of colour haven’t had the privilege, time or means to prioritise themselves, rest and health. It is therefore worth remembering that the very women we celebrate this Women’s Month put their needs aside for the urgency of their present moment as they protested the oppression and violence of the time. There is a long lineage of women who sacrificed their wellbeing to fulfil the expectations of family and stand as pillars of their communities in the background.

“It is therefore worth remembering that the very women we celebrate this Women’s Month put their needs aside for the urgency of their present moment as they protested the oppression and violence of the time.”

Women of colour have often found themselves at odds with the world that has expected so much from them whilst giving them nothing in return. The bodies of black women have suffered violence, abuse, erasure, and misrepresentation. This trauma persists generationally, often manifesting itself through undiagnosed and dismissed anxiety and depression. Focusing on wellness, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease disproportionately affect black women today.

We continue to face challenges within the healthcare system through the challenge of access. This is also revealed in statistics – such as black women being 2 to 6 times more likely to die from complications of pregnancy.

“Audre Lorde put it best when she shared that “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

In the face of this, prioritising self-care and wellness as a black woman is truly a revolutionary act. Audre Lorde put it best when she shared that “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”.

Acknowledging the power of self-care and wellness, here are some practices that can help you prioritise yourself, establish moments of rest and nourish your mind, body and relationships.

• • • • • • •

Taking an afternoon nap, making time to read a book or listening to a podcast.

Journaling to express yourself, work through challenges and hold yourself accountable to your goals and dreams.

Seeking the counsel of a therapist if you have the privilege of accessing this service.

Making it a point to eat veggies with more of your meals.

Perhaps treating yourself to something you have been restricting yourself from enjoying once in a while.

Having a difficult conversation with a friend or saying no to an opportunity you don’t have the capacity for.

Booking a doctor’s appointment, visiting the gynaecologist or switching to non-toxic personal care products.

Through these practices and lifestyle shifts, remember that it is not about perfection but rather performing self-care and health. Be genuine and intentional about looking after yourself and remember that even the simple things like getting to bed earlier or drinking more water, matter. The more glamorous acts like skincare or having a movie night where you watch your favourite rom com fit into self-care too.

In a world that tries to silence and subdue us, where we face challenges, discrimination and have to push harder to be seen, your self-care is a powerful and revolutionary act. This Women’s Month and beyond, hold on to this reminder as you prioritise rest, joy, and health.

@VarsityNews | 17 June 2020 | V79 E8 |Page 22

LIFESTYLE & SPORT A Fire Like You

Upile Chisala provides contextual poetry that engulfs one’s thoughts this Women’s Month

Source: The National

James Braham

A

Fire Like You burns at the emotions of what it is like as a woman to live in a world tempted and dominated by fear and misery, but at the same time it calls for empowerment and growth; that to fall is only an opportunity to rise back up again.

Upile Chisala is a Malawian poet who currently resides in Johannesburg. The 26-year-old woman from Zomba is a double graduate from Oxford University and has released three poetry collections: Soft Magic (2015), Nectar (2017), and A Fire Like You (2020). Chisala writes from the feelings and interactions that she experiences as a black woman in various foreign settings throughout her life. In an interview with Rupert Hawksley from Arts&Culture, Chisala states that when she first wrote Soft Magic (whilst studying in the United States) it was a response to feeling like an “oddity” – “I wanted to celebrate certain women’s identity…mostly blackness, which was always a thing people wanted to attack me for”.

Hence, the ability for the poet to produce art that represents her own personal life speaks volumes for the empowerment of many women across the world, not just herself. Nectar consists of Chisala’s own hold on depression and her intricate relationship with her parents. Both of these collections stipulate what is to come in A Fire Like You, where Chisala pronounces that she accepts her growth – “I’m flawed. I love myself… I’m growing and evolving. It’s about just standing in your truth”.

The art illustrations that accompany certain poems within the text portray feminist bodies in a form that is so delicate and pure that the reader is able to attain the physical aspects of the subject.

Here is a selection of some of the remarkable poems in A

Fire Like You: Caring Pains Here, To be woman is to care hard, Care until it kills you.

There Isn’t a Fire Around like You Because you have it – Time – and having it is a blessing, spend some of it learning how not to be afraid of yourself.

Once the Water Goes This life will push you, my darling.

So you’ll have to learn First to cry for crying’s sake.

And then get up and push it back.

A Promise to Mama Maya Maybe I won’t learn right away.

And I’ll make the same mistake twice.

But this I can promise.

I’ll dance each time I rise.

One can purchase this text for a cost between R310.00 - R315.00 in stores such as Exclusive Books, or online at Loot.co.za and Amazon. com