‘TRADITION EXPLOITED TO JUSTIFY ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN’ – PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA

President Cyril Ramaphosa

By: Staff Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced the mistreatment of women by men who use culture and tradition as a cover.

On Thursday, 4, the President addressed the Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

Addressing over 9,000 attendees at Lemo Green Park, President Ramaphosa stated that violence against women and children has reached intolerable levels.

The President noted that offenders commit these acts in the name of customs.

“Some men, under the guise of tradition, commit these crimes. Some men, under the guise of masculinity, commit these crimes. We can discuss this all day, but the reality is that men do not respect women and see them as objects. Women are the most valuable assets of our nation and deserve to be treated with dignity,” President Ramaphosa said.

To end Gender Based Violence and Femicide, every citizen must actively participate in eradicating this issue from society.

“The abuse of women and children tarnishes our dignity as men. Men must stop being passive and merely observing. Crime thrives in a culture of silence, and as a result, women are becoming increasingly fearful,” he said.

He continued: “South Africa faces a crisis of fractured families where the majority of children do not live with their biological fathers. Boys lack role models. Premier (Letsoha-Mathae), you have started something truly positive, and hopefully, it will spread nationwide”.

Premier of the Free State MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae mentioned that the province has experienced numerous incidents of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, which led to the idea of organising an indaba.

“We were recently informed about the murders of Katleho and Onkarabetse Leeuw, who were cousins found dead days apart. Their parents have been arrested in what seems to be a revenge-driven case. In QwaQwa, a woman survived by clinging to a tree branch after being raped and thrown into a raging river. These are some of the challenges we are confronting,” said Premier Letsoha-Mathae.