The harrowing accounts of several survivors of Gender-Based
Violence, including the still rampant practice of Ukuthwala, mostly in the
Eastern Cape’s rural communities, came into sharp focus as the province marked
Women’s Day in the town of Matatiele in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality yesterday.
Leading the charge, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane called
on society to abolish the historical cultural practice of Ukuthwala, which
often sees the lives and futures of young girls, some still minors, left in
tatters as they are abducted and married-off often to strangers in exchange for
a dowry or lobola.
Premier Mabuyane also decried the role played by some
traditional leaders and churches in the scourge, saying it was tantamount to
operating a human trafficking ring and facilitating the rape of young girls and
women under the guise of following traditional and religious customs.
“It is unacceptable that even some churches are playing a
part in the violation and destruction of the lives and futures of young girls
and women. No one can determine the future of another individual on their
behalf and against their free will,” said the Premier.
“It cannot be that a person can wake up today and under the
guise of following religion or church practices, say they have had a dream that
they should take a fellow congregant as a wife, yet this man does not even know
this woman, and often without her consent a person is married off.
“We condemn the practice of ukuthwala in our province and
anywhere else this barbaric practice is still being followed,” said Mabuyane.
One delegate during the GBV dialogue session also lamented
what she described as some families bartering using their girl-children as
collateral on the promise that they would in future be married into the lending
family to settle their debts.
The provincial government’s commemoration and celebration of
Women’s Day took place under the theme: ‘Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and
Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s improved resilience’ and used the
occasion to deliver implements to two women-owned businesses in the region
through the Premier’s Isiqalo Youth Fund initiative.
Lulo Pastry received assistance to the value of R263 000,
which comprised of staff uniforms, single deck gas oven, rotating display fridge,
waffle maker, industrial toaster, ice cream machine, stock packaging, glasses,
plates, steel tables, glass chaffing dishes, standing deep freezer, standing
fridge, steel cabinet and two 10L mixers.
Government also invested over R500 000 into Zamampila Trading, with event hosting equipment and a bakkie.
The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (EC Soc.
Dev) also supported women-owned projects, with Orifile Community Organization
(Community Nutrition Development Centre) receiving R364 061. Phambili Mahlubi Development Org (food garden) received R25
000, while Keamohetse Women’s Community project (Household food garden)
received R50 000.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and
Agrarian Reform (EC DRDAR) also supported two women-owned projects, with
Siph’uncedo Veg Project receiving implements for a nutritional garden that is
serving those in need, with Sakhikamva Poultry Project receiving chicken feed
and other support packs. Matatiele Primary School also received 15 windbreaker
trees.
Front-line government departments, including the provincial
Department of Health (EC DoH) also provided services on wheels to communities
including eye care, cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, HIV
counselling and testing.
The Departments of Home Affairs, Labour & Employment and
Social Development also brought services to the people of Matatiele Local
Municipality and the greater Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
