JOHANNESBURG: The protest by four young women, as President Jacob Zuma received the final results of the local government elections last weekend, is a positive reflection of the vibrant South African democracy, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women Susan Shabangu said yesterday.
“I think the Khwezi issue is a reflection of our democracy. In South Africa, where there is a peaceful march allowed in the constitution, it can happen. One should look at it within that context,” Shabangu said at the 60th Women's Day commemoration.
“The other issues that were dealt with on the matter relate to security, which I cannot deal with. Those matters have been dealt with by my colleagues responsible for security. But, generally, our cconstitution does embrace peaceful protests.”
Four young women, who were manning the EFF's desk at the national results operations centre, went to the front and held placards that referred to Zuma's rape trial in 2006. The placards read “10 years later”, “Remember Khwezi”, “I am one in 3,” and “Khanga”.
Zuma was acquitted of raping a then 31-year-old HIV- positive family friend at his home in Johannesburg in 2005.
Facing the audience with their backs to Zuma, the women continued their silent protest for the duration of his short speech. He seemed oblivious to the protest as he spoke.
The women were bundled away by the presidential protection services after Zuma left the podium.
The protest angered the ANC Women’s League, whose president, Bathabile Dlamini, blamed the IEC and demanded answers.
Yesterday, South Africans celebrated Women's Day in honour of the more than 20 000 women of all races who marched to the Union Buildings to deliver a petition against the carrying of pass books to then prime minister Johannes Strijdom on August 9, 1956.
Shabangu said it was critical to celebrate the role played by women in freeing South Africa. “These are the women who made sure that today we are free,” Shabangu told reporters.
August is dedicated as Women's Month in South Africa.
For this year's commemorations, Zuma delivered the national message at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The commemorations started off with Zuma launching the Women’s Living Heritage Monument at the Lillian Ngoyi Square in the Pretoria CBD.
The centre tells the story about women’s contribution to the liberation struggle.
From the Lillian Ngoyi Square, the senior officials were set to march to the Union Buildings along same the route taken by the 1956 women. – ANA