On the last day of Women’s Month we highlight some amazing South African women who’ve made us really proud to be South African this month.
1. Mokgadi Caster Semenya for slaying at the Olympics
Not only did Caster do us proud by becoming the first black South African woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Not even the constant media harrassment about her gender could get her down. She also brought out a loving side to South African Twitter where people tweeted her their support and went for those who tried to be mean to her under #TeamCaster, #HandsOffCaster and Caster’s Defence Force.
2.Wits students who held the #RememberKhwezi silent protest
We salute the four Wits students (Amanda Mavuso (21), Naledi Chirwa (23), Simamkele Dlakavu (25), and Lebogang Shikwambane (24)) who bravely held a silent protest during President Jacob Zuma’s Independent Electoral Commission results speech. They held placards which read “1 in 3”, “Remember Khwezi”, “10 years later” and “Khanga”. These were a reminder of the 2005 rape case that involved President Jacob Zuma and Khwezi.
3. Pupils from the Pretoria High School for Girls who said no to racism.
Not even 15 years old, but already showing showing remarkable bravery, these girls this week stood up against their school’s hair policy under the leadership of the young Zalaikha Patel, a learner at the school. The hashtag #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh trended on social media. The students raised issues on instances of racism against black students and black hair after they were instructed to straighten their afros. These young girls have made a definite mark in history.
4. Enhle Lucinda Khumalo for donating to the Wits Pad Drive
22-year-old Enhle Khumalo is a former Wits SRC member, and is currently pursuing her honours qualification in international studies. Enhle founded the #MbalEnhleSis initiative after a selfie of her wearing a doek trended on Twitter. This gave her an idea to find and sell doeks and then donate 10% of the profits towards the Wits Pad Drive which distributes pads to those who cannot afford on campus.
5. Nomzamo Mbatha
While driving back home on Sunday earlier this month, Nomzamo was allegedly harassed by a JMPD officer who asked to touch her thigh. She went on to tweet about the incident saying as a woman she is constantly living in fear. This sparked a debate, and for others to come out with their stories of harassment at the hands of law enforcement officers. It’s always good to see celebrities speaking out against injustice.
Image via Flickr | Follow the writers: @Emperess_emph & @KoketsoMasuluke
