Local celebrities took to social to express their views on rape culture, following the death of Khensani Maseko, the Rhodes University student.
It is alleged that Maseko was raped in May, which led to her suicide.
Maseko reportedly committed suicide at her family's home in Johannesburg on Friday, 03 August 2018.
The Rhodes University SRC has expressed shock at the death of the third year BA student.
She was an SRC alumnus and a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command.
Just two days before Maseko's death, women across South Africa took to the streets, marching along with members of the LGBTQI+ and gender non-conforming community to raise awareness around gender-based violence, in the #TotalShutdown movement.
Tributes from friends, colleagues, social media users including local celebrities, have been pouring in for the young woman on social media, with most posts reiterating the message that "no woman deserves to be raped".
I am so so sorry, Khensani. Rest, baby girl. 😢💔 #RIPKhensani #SihleMaphumuloMustBeJailed #EnoughisEnough pic.twitter.com/V4EC8lgP4D
— Boity Thulo (@Boity) August 5, 2018
Nothing can ever justify the way women are treated, abused and killed at any given time in this country. Men! Stop it! #RIPKhensani
— Thabile Ngwato (@ThabileNgwato) August 5, 2018
What’s the first step to fixing the violence against women? #RipKhensani
— #VI #Twinkle #Iphupho #GigiGang (@Gigi_Lamayne) August 5, 2018
While Brickz was busy being celebrated and getting gigs.....a rape victim killed herself. Because Rape IS a death sentence #RIPKhensani
— CheriEgrand🦋 (@ntsikimazwai) August 5, 2018
What in the WORLD???!!!! My heart is shattered!!! What have women done to be hated, to be disrespected soooo much??!!! May you find peace and love in you new journey gorgeous soul❤️❤️❤️ #RIPKhensani pic.twitter.com/9glMxtXS41
— Thando Thabooty (@Thando_Thabethe) August 5, 2018
Wait a minute , she gets raped , she struggles with depression and you fucking judge how she deals with it? The fucking audacity! Moer! #RIPKhensani
— Siv Ngesi (@iamSivN) August 6, 2018
The 23-year-old law student seemed to have left some clues before taking her life, her last Instagram post was that of her date of birth, 24.07.1995, and the date she passed away 03.08.2018, with the caption: “No one deserves to be raped.”
Another post on her Twitter feed, on August 2, Maseko posted a photo with her grandma, captioning it; "Best friends forever.. Till the casket drops.. Till my dying day.. Till my heartbeat stops".
Best friends forever.. Till the casket drops.. Till my dying day.. Till my heartbeat stops ❤️🙏🏾✨ pic.twitter.com/LrcVyopmTk
— Lady Justice ⚖ (@MissMaseko_) August 2, 2018
Another Instagram post read:
Details of Maseko's burial have not been released as yet. Her family has also not spoken publicly.