Her name is Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo

HER NAME IS FEZEKILE NTSUKELA KUZWAYO.

On Sunday many of us were awakened to the sad news that our warrior sister had passed away.

Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo is her name, not the zuma rape accuser.

She was a phenomenal woman who had the courage and strength of a lion. In a patriarchal society she had the power and strength to stand up for her rights and for those of many women who were made voiceless or simply silenced.

During the rape trial she received unethical victimization, outside the courthouse and throughout most media houses.

Outside the courthouse, police allowed the burning of underwear and images of her, in revolting acts of intimidation and hatred.

As in many rape trials it’s the accuser that is often labeled and made to feel guilty for what had happened to them, this is what rape culture is about. Feminists coined rape Culture in the 1970’s. It was designed to show the ways in which society blamed victims of sexual assault and normalised male sexual violence.

After the trial it was decided that she and her mother would be safer outside the country and they then moved to the Netherlands, where she gained political asylum and where she lived up until today.

Her spirit and courage will live forever amongst us. We salute you, brave sister.The women of the African continent deserve better than this. Women’s rights are human rights and should not be violated under any circumstances; religious, political or cultural.

This is a poem that she wrote. It was published and performed in Amsterdam

I am Khanga

I wrap myself around the curvaceous bodies of women all over Africa

I am the perfect nightdress on those hot African nights

The ideal attire for household chores

I secure babies happily on their mother’s backs

Am the perfect gift for new bride and new mother alike

Armed with proverbs, I am vehicle for communication between women

I exist for the comfort and convenience of a woman

But no no no make no mistake …

I am not here to please a man

And I certainly am not a seductress

Please don’t use me as an excuse to rape

Don’t hide behind me when you choose to abuse

You see

That’s what he said my Malume

The man who called himself my daddy’s best friend

Shared a cell with him on [Robben] Island for ten whole years

He said I wanted it

That my khanga said it

That with it I lured him to my bed

That with it I want you is what I said

But what about the NO I uttered with my mouth

Not once but twice

And the please no I said with my body

What about the tear that ran down my face as I lay stiff with shock

In what sick world is that sex

In what sick world is that consent

The same world where the rapist becomes the victim

The same world where I become the bitch that must burn

The same world where I am forced into exile because I spoke out?

This is NOT my world

I reject that world

My world is a world where fathers protect and don’t rape

My world is a world where a woman can speak out

Without fear for her safety

My world is a world where no one , but no one is above the law

My world is a world where sex is pleasurable not painful.

 

Akuta Continua

#RIP

#RememberKhwezi