In 2009, one of our most famous exports, Charlize Theron, did an ad campaign against rape in South Africa.
As is par for the course these days, the campaign was labeled as controversial because some men felt that it took a dig at the law abiding men too.
I must admit, that at the time, I felt a bit peeved by the adverts too and for the life of me, I cannot remember why. If hindsight is 20\20, then I must have bionic telescopes for eyes now.
Charlize was 100% right. REAL MEN DON’T RAPE!
For all the lads reading this wanting to pat yourself on the back because you wouldn’t dream of committing such an atrocious act, don’t even think about it!
Do I have your attention?
What is happening to the women in South Africa is a disease worse than cancer! It’s spreading fast and we are no where near to finding out how to stop it.
Just ten days ago, we were all aware of the rape statistics in South Africa, but in true South African style, we show apathy towards the situation until we’re shocked out of our seats and start making arm-chair call to action. What happened to Anene Booysens is repulsive, demonic evil at its best. But if you follow the news, a 61 year old sight AND hearing impaired grandmother was raped in the same room her grand-child was sleeping.
The rapist fell asleep on the bed next to her!
Today’s story is that ANOTHER teenager was found dead in the Cape. Although it’s not conclusive yet, reports suggest that she was raped and strangled to death.
What is going on?!?!!! Why is this happening?!!? What are we going to do about this?!?!!!!!!?
Women are 95% of the victims of rape. The rest makes up man on man and in rare cases, woman on man. Each of them more disgusting than the rest.
I read an article posted on news24 about men’s silence on rape being deafening. I have been mulling over that article the whole weekend.
The reason this stuck with me is, it’s so dam true!
Women’s rights activists are marching, protesting, petitioning and pleading with the powers that be for their undivided attention against rape. Where are the men?
We speak out to one another about how disgusting rapes are over the braai, and in manly bravado we declare “just give me five minutes with them boet, they’ll never rape anyone again”.
OK, thanks Mr Tough Guy. Inspirational words indeed. Stopping rape in this country is going to take a lot more than just five minutes. It’s going to take men to start making rapists feel ashamed to exist and it won’t be done by “spending five minutes alone”.
I’m not saying that any one of us is less shocked and disturbed by what happened to Anene Booysens and I know, that everyone’s feelings of sympathy for the victim and her family are genuine. But we have to show more, feel more and do more.
Men should be the frontline defense for all women in this country. When someone’s daughter, mother, sister, aunty, cousin, friend, girlfriend or wife is raped, we should speak out more vehemently than if they were our own!
We should have our most famous and well known male sports stars and celebrities appearing on TV, billboards, radio commercials and at public events taking a strong stand on rape, not mincing their words and making it perfectly clear that rape will not be tolerated in our country.
Let there be controversy, let there be discussion and let the country not forget about what is happening to our women!
Real men don’t rape. Better men don’t stay quiet.
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