Women and men came out in their thousands to say “enough is enough” in a protest outside Parliament, on Thursday September 5, against the continuing rape and murder of women and children in the country. Several protesters spoke to the Tatler reporter LIZAHN WENTZEL about the crisis.
Survivor Hannah Mae from Observatory hoped that the protest and similar protests across the city would help bring about change. She said it had been hard to deal with the recent incidents, as they resonated with her.
Robin-Vivienne van Breda took the day off from university to attend the protest. She has been a victim of sexual and physical abuse and wondered when it would end. Why do I have to share my location with my mom every time I leave the house? Why cant I wear what I want without hearing sexual remarks? Why is it so directed at me, as opposed to asking people why they rape, why do they stare at a persons body like that?
Kaylum Meyer from Grassy Park said he was standing in solidarity with his women friends and family, as any one of them could be next.
Unati Matshatshe from UCT said she wanted to make a statement with the clothes she chose to wear to the protest. Society usually dictates that women must dress conservatively and when we dress a certain type of way, we invite this behaviour. Uyinene Mrwetyana went to the post office and she was still not safe. The actual narrative should be pointing at what society is doing to help us and not putting it on women.
Maike Hinz from Cape Town said enough was enough. We cant have this in society anymore. People have asked what makes Uyinene Mrwetyana so special, but its not that she is special but this was the turning point and she has become the face of the movement. Now is the time for all of us to come together and fight what is happening in our society, because it is not okay.
Kim Martin from Steenberg said she too had been part of the problem, as she had been silent for too long. I told myself that I am not going to keep quiet anymore and Im going to speak out about these cases. The momentum needs to keep going.
Nur Cassiem from Rondebosch East said: I am here today because I am a female. It could be any one of us; it is any one of us; its always any one of us, and thats why I am here. I need change and we need to stand together.
