Johannesburg – The protest by four young women as President Jacob Zuma received 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 on Tuesday.
“I think the Kwezi 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 in Pretoria.
“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 colleague responsible for security. But generally, our Constitution does embrace peaceful protests.”
Four young women, who were manning the Economic Freedom Fighters’ desk at the Electoral Commission of South’s national results operations centre, went to the front and held placards that referred to Zuma’s rape trial in 2006.
They held up placards that read “10 years later”, “Remember Khwezi”, “I am one in 3,” and “Khanga” while Zuma delivered his speech. The placards were in apparent reference to Zuma’s rape trial a decade ago.
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 (ANCWL), whose president Bathabile Dlamini blamed the IEC and demanded answers about the protest.
On Tuesday, South Africans were celebrating 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, with nationwide commemorations taking place on August 9.
For this year’s commemorations, Zuma will deliver 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 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.
African News Agency