We are a far way from realising our lofty ideals of gender equality, but we must keep working towards them
Women’s Day
Posted inEquality, Gender violence
20 000 women, for nothing?
Twenty thousand women marched in 1956 and changed the world. We celebrate them this month. They are certainly worthy. **** Some time ago, I went for an interview. When asked by the panel why I wanted to leave the job I was in at the time, I responded that I was tired of the institutional […]
Posted inGender violence, News/Politics
When the system betrays our children
This was supposed to be a weary and fairly snide thinkpiece lamenting the ridiculousness of having a Women’s Day, a Women’s Month, that is completely associated with pink and flowers and whatever other qualities are deemed appropriately womanly. (Apparently, this includes wearing a doek.) Instead, I was reminded once again that I live in a […]
Posted inEquality, Gender violence
Why Trevor Noah’s Semenya tweet matters
By Gcobani Qambela The former secretary-general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, says: “All the cruel and brutal things, even genocide, starts with the humiliation of one individual.” I was reminded of this quote this past Friday when I logged into my Twitter feed to find the mixed reactions to South African comedian Trevor Noah’s […]
Posted inMedia
No ghastly Women’s Day sermonising
Women’s Day is upon us, which means we can expect four five things: * Meaningless speeches by politicians (presumably our president knows about the importance of women; he’s consorted with enough of them). * Ghastly twee sermonising about the Importance of Women. * Women’s Day ad campaigns for ugly furniture. * Debates about whether Women’s […]
Posted inGeneral, News/Politics
Women’s lives remain unchanged
This month is dedicated to women and the struggles they go through on a daily basis. I was wondering how I could pay tribute with an article to their heroism — as a son of a woman myself and a little brother to my sister. Then my new colleague and boss, Pregs Govender, wrote something […]