FEMINIST STATEMENTMOBILISING CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP FOR THE CO-CREATION OF A JUST SOUTH AFRICA
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We, the #CodeRed feminists from across South Africa, raise our voices during this latest crisis in the country, where the majority of ordinary people are distressed and in deep despair.
1. Patriarchal leadership fueling a deepening political crises: The current crisis is not a crisis of looting and protest. It is a crisis of patriarchy in leadership across the board and within the ruling party. Violent rhetoric and constant threats are part of a daily onslaught on ordinary people, particularly womxn and gender-nonconforming people.
2. Persistent and escalating violence:
The current crisis is a manifestation of violence that successive administrations in the last 27 years have failed to address. The violence we see is an amplification of the violence millions of womxn and LGBTQI+ people face at all levels of society. Feminists cautioned against this systemic violence when supporters of former President Zuma vilified and called for the death of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo during his rape trial in 2006. Our calls went unheard.
President Ramaphosa speaks of gender-based violence as a second pandemic. Yet, to date, we are still awaiting an appropriate budget allocation and clear plans to tackle such systemic violence. The gaps between the rhetoric of outrage and the lack of adequate resourcing show that gender-based violence is not a priority of the State - as does the silence on the numerous recent murders of LGBTQI+ people in South Africa.
3. Poverty and inequalities:
Discontent and desperation have built-up, both before and after the transition to democracy and certainly since 9 July this year. Given the high levels of poverty and inequality in our country, too many people have little to lose and are prepared to risk their lives to meet their basic needs. We continue to be among the countries with the highest levels of inequality, joblessness and violence. Up to 30% of children under 5 in South Africa are nutritionally stunted. According to the June 2021 Household Affordability Index, the current cost of a basic Household Food Basket is R4128. Consider this against the fact that 55.5% of South Africa lives below the Upper Bound Poverty Line of R1268, and that 64.2% of Black South Africans live on less than this a month.
Womxn bear the brunt of poverty. Womxn’s work of care in the home and community is unpaid and invisibilised. African womxn suffer economic violence and exploitation based on race, class and gender. High levels of gender-based violence and femicide are deeply connected to the catastrophic economic and unemployment crises in our country. The neo-liberal economic policies of this government have led to outsourcing and privatisation and have made womxn’s situation even more difficult. Womxn earn slave wages and work in slave-like conditions. Unemployment amongst womxn continues to remain higher than among men reaching approximately 34.3% of the total labour force in the fourth quarter of 2020.
4. Lack of respect for and inconsistent application of the rule of law:
A culture of impunity and lack of accountability of the powerful has been created and enabled. The inquiry into State Capture has laid bare rampant corruption between politically-connected individuals, the private sector and government. The persistent failure to hold accountable those responsible for the economic crimes that have robbed millions of people of their basic needs, their rights, dreams and futures undermines the rule of law. The criminal justice system targets the poor while allowing the rich and politically connected to evade the legal consequences of their actions. This is a betrayal of the right of equality before the law. Ongoing attacks against the judiciary, distortions of the law to promote impunity are possible when the courts are seen as maintaining the status quo.
5. Feminist guidance to address the root causes of the crises
No more can our legitimate struggles be ignored. We will not stand by and watch successive governments, enabled by the lack of leadership by opposition parties and others, refuse to take decisive action to deliver on their obligations. We will not watch such legacies being passed on from generation to generation, turning our hard-won victories into dust, while our leaders claim to be advancing social justice.
We demand that government:
i. Transform the economy and provide adequate social protection:
Economic restructuring is an urgent necessity. The social protection system must be extended immediately and form a fundamental component of any roadmap out of the current crisis. Equal, equitable and dignified access to basic human needs and services, including health and education, must be ensured. At its core, restructuring must include a focus on feminist economics and on bolstering systems of care. Feminist economists must be a key consultation group in establishing a human rights-based economy. Further, we need an urgent overhaul of the current inadequate systems for state consultation on policy priorities, as structures like NEDLAC do not represent the voices of those most severely impacted by poverty and inequality in South Africa.
Implement a Basic Income Grant of R1268 per individual. As first steps in this process, we demand an immediate increase of the Child Support Grant to the Food Poverty Line (FPL) of R585 and that the Social Relief of Distress Grant be immediately reinstated and increased to the FPL of R585.
Ensure a Living wage and invest in the informal economy: Enforce the Labour Relations Act to ensure that every worker earns a living wage, prioritising the hospitality sector and domestic work where black African womxn make up the majority workforce. Invest in the informal economy where womxn work to sustain livelihoods.
Improve Health delivery to the most marginalised: Health delivery to the most marginalised is a necessary component of social protection. We demand prioritisation of NHI processes and a strengthening of Primary Health Care systems in the NHI.
Impose a wealth tax on high net-worth individuals.
ii. Ensure that deployed soldiers uphold their peacekeeping and humanitarian role.
We demand that the SANDF acts as a peacekeeping force that ensures government delivers on its constitutional mandate to provide socio-economic rights such as food, medicines and social grants, and to ensure that womxn and LGBTQI+ are not, once again, placed at the front of the line as recipients of this violence, in instances where the army is deployed into communities
iii. Ensure equality before the law and respect for the rule of law:
Recognising widespread poverty and inequality, we urge the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) to exercise its discretion under section 4 of the National Prosecution Policy not to prosecute people who have been arrested for “looting”. We note with grave concern that the NPA has been instructed to oppose bail to those arrested for looting - this cannot be the automatic approach of the NPA as they are required to consider the interests of justice, including the nature of the charge.
It is critical that we protect the actors in the judiciary as well as judicial institutions themselves from threats, intimidation and attack. The widespread misinformation campaign to delegitimise accountability mechanisms by those wanting to evade responsibility must be stopped. All leaders must demonstrate commitment and accountability for both the protection of the judiciary and accurate dissemination of information.
Further, that the NPA be enabled, with adequate funding from the fiscus to accelerate the prosecution of perpetrators of State corruption. The impunity of the politically connected who have plundered resources meant to meet human needs must end now.
Finally, we ourselves commit to, and invite all activists, as well as all people living in South Africa, to
1. Think for ourselves
2. Develop a consciousness of our own privilege
3. Refuse to be manipulated by self-serving, patriarchal leaders from any party, group or institution
4. Denounce toxic masculinities and the violence that comes with this
5. Denounce all forms of prejudice on the basis of gender, race, nationality
6. Choose rather to join together to actively work for social justice and a good life for every single person in this land, prioritising those who have been systematically excluded. We, individually and collectively, are capable of this.
When justice rules, peace will reign.
1. Patriarchal leadership fueling a deepening political crises: The current crisis is not a crisis of looting and protest. It is a crisis of patriarchy in leadership across the board and within the ruling party. Violent rhetoric and constant threats are part of a daily onslaught on ordinary people, particularly womxn and gender-nonconforming people.
2. Persistent and escalating violence:
The current crisis is a manifestation of violence that successive administrations in the last 27 years have failed to address. The violence we see is an amplification of the violence millions of womxn and LGBTQI+ people face at all levels of society. Feminists cautioned against this systemic violence when supporters of former President Zuma vilified and called for the death of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo during his rape trial in 2006. Our calls went unheard.
President Ramaphosa speaks of gender-based violence as a second pandemic. Yet, to date, we are still awaiting an appropriate budget allocation and clear plans to tackle such systemic violence. The gaps between the rhetoric of outrage and the lack of adequate resourcing show that gender-based violence is not a priority of the State - as does the silence on the numerous recent murders of LGBTQI+ people in South Africa.
3. Poverty and inequalities:
Discontent and desperation have built-up, both before and after the transition to democracy and certainly since 9 July this year. Given the high levels of poverty and inequality in our country, too many people have little to lose and are prepared to risk their lives to meet their basic needs. We continue to be among the countries with the highest levels of inequality, joblessness and violence. Up to 30% of children under 5 in South Africa are nutritionally stunted. According to the June 2021 Household Affordability Index, the current cost of a basic Household Food Basket is R4128. Consider this against the fact that 55.5% of South Africa lives below the Upper Bound Poverty Line of R1268, and that 64.2% of Black South Africans live on less than this a month.
Womxn bear the brunt of poverty. Womxn’s work of care in the home and community is unpaid and invisibilised. African womxn suffer economic violence and exploitation based on race, class and gender. High levels of gender-based violence and femicide are deeply connected to the catastrophic economic and unemployment crises in our country. The neo-liberal economic policies of this government have led to outsourcing and privatisation and have made womxn’s situation even more difficult. Womxn earn slave wages and work in slave-like conditions. Unemployment amongst womxn continues to remain higher than among men reaching approximately 34.3% of the total labour force in the fourth quarter of 2020.
4. Lack of respect for and inconsistent application of the rule of law:
A culture of impunity and lack of accountability of the powerful has been created and enabled. The inquiry into State Capture has laid bare rampant corruption between politically-connected individuals, the private sector and government. The persistent failure to hold accountable those responsible for the economic crimes that have robbed millions of people of their basic needs, their rights, dreams and futures undermines the rule of law. The criminal justice system targets the poor while allowing the rich and politically connected to evade the legal consequences of their actions. This is a betrayal of the right of equality before the law. Ongoing attacks against the judiciary, distortions of the law to promote impunity are possible when the courts are seen as maintaining the status quo.
5. Feminist guidance to address the root causes of the crises
No more can our legitimate struggles be ignored. We will not stand by and watch successive governments, enabled by the lack of leadership by opposition parties and others, refuse to take decisive action to deliver on their obligations. We will not watch such legacies being passed on from generation to generation, turning our hard-won victories into dust, while our leaders claim to be advancing social justice.
We demand that government:
i. Transform the economy and provide adequate social protection:
Economic restructuring is an urgent necessity. The social protection system must be extended immediately and form a fundamental component of any roadmap out of the current crisis. Equal, equitable and dignified access to basic human needs and services, including health and education, must be ensured. At its core, restructuring must include a focus on feminist economics and on bolstering systems of care. Feminist economists must be a key consultation group in establishing a human rights-based economy. Further, we need an urgent overhaul of the current inadequate systems for state consultation on policy priorities, as structures like NEDLAC do not represent the voices of those most severely impacted by poverty and inequality in South Africa.
Implement a Basic Income Grant of R1268 per individual. As first steps in this process, we demand an immediate increase of the Child Support Grant to the Food Poverty Line (FPL) of R585 and that the Social Relief of Distress Grant be immediately reinstated and increased to the FPL of R585.
Ensure a Living wage and invest in the informal economy: Enforce the Labour Relations Act to ensure that every worker earns a living wage, prioritising the hospitality sector and domestic work where black African womxn make up the majority workforce. Invest in the informal economy where womxn work to sustain livelihoods.
Improve Health delivery to the most marginalised: Health delivery to the most marginalised is a necessary component of social protection. We demand prioritisation of NHI processes and a strengthening of Primary Health Care systems in the NHI.
Impose a wealth tax on high net-worth individuals.
ii. Ensure that deployed soldiers uphold their peacekeeping and humanitarian role.
We demand that the SANDF acts as a peacekeeping force that ensures government delivers on its constitutional mandate to provide socio-economic rights such as food, medicines and social grants, and to ensure that womxn and LGBTQI+ are not, once again, placed at the front of the line as recipients of this violence, in instances where the army is deployed into communities
iii. Ensure equality before the law and respect for the rule of law:
Recognising widespread poverty and inequality, we urge the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) to exercise its discretion under section 4 of the National Prosecution Policy not to prosecute people who have been arrested for “looting”. We note with grave concern that the NPA has been instructed to oppose bail to those arrested for looting - this cannot be the automatic approach of the NPA as they are required to consider the interests of justice, including the nature of the charge.
It is critical that we protect the actors in the judiciary as well as judicial institutions themselves from threats, intimidation and attack. The widespread misinformation campaign to delegitimise accountability mechanisms by those wanting to evade responsibility must be stopped. All leaders must demonstrate commitment and accountability for both the protection of the judiciary and accurate dissemination of information.
Further, that the NPA be enabled, with adequate funding from the fiscus to accelerate the prosecution of perpetrators of State corruption. The impunity of the politically connected who have plundered resources meant to meet human needs must end now.
Finally, we ourselves commit to, and invite all activists, as well as all people living in South Africa, to
1. Think for ourselves
2. Develop a consciousness of our own privilege
3. Refuse to be manipulated by self-serving, patriarchal leaders from any party, group or institution
4. Denounce toxic masculinities and the violence that comes with this
5. Denounce all forms of prejudice on the basis of gender, race, nationality
6. Choose rather to join together to actively work for social justice and a good life for every single person in this land, prioritising those who have been systematically excluded. We, individually and collectively, are capable of this.
When justice rules, peace will reign.
Signatories
1000 Women Trust
AEDC
BACK YARD DWELLERS FORUM
Befinitive Consulting Pty Ltd
Black Womxn Caucus
Bophelong Youth Development Programme
Bumbatha Africa Group
Callas Foundationn
CALS
Child Maintenance Difficulties in South Africa
CIVICUS
Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (University currently known as Rhodes)
Empower Women
Femmeprojects NPC
Forum for the Empowerment of Women
Gei Heis Collective
Institute for Advancing Worker Justice and Legacy
Institute for Economic Research on Innovation
ISLA
Just Associates ~ JASS
LANDROSA
Lawyers for Human Rights
LIBERATEASOUL
Lifeline South Africa
Market Users Committee
MCSJ/AEDC
MOSAIC Training Services and Healing Centre for Women
Ntethelelo Foundation
Open House Initiative
Opus Greens
Passover Community Building Organization
Pledge Organization (Pledge To End GBV)
Remmoho Womens Forum
Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP)
The Right2Know Campaign
Trade Union Congress of Swaziland
Sabela Leadership and Dev Initiative
Sonke Gender Justice
Soul City Institute for Social Justice
Sunshine Cinema
The Teddy Bear Foundation for Abused Children
Umoja for Africa
Unemployed People's Movement, Makhanda
Wise Collective
Women Impacting a Nation
Women on Farms Project
Women's Legal Centre
Women’s.Net
Womxn and Democracy Initiative, Dullah Omar Institute, UWC
AEDC
BACK YARD DWELLERS FORUM
Befinitive Consulting Pty Ltd
Black Womxn Caucus
Bophelong Youth Development Programme
Bumbatha Africa Group
Callas Foundationn
CALS
Child Maintenance Difficulties in South Africa
CIVICUS
Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (University currently known as Rhodes)
Empower Women
Femmeprojects NPC
Forum for the Empowerment of Women
Gei Heis Collective
Institute for Advancing Worker Justice and Legacy
Institute for Economic Research on Innovation
ISLA
Just Associates ~ JASS
LANDROSA
Lawyers for Human Rights
LIBERATEASOUL
Lifeline South Africa
Market Users Committee
MCSJ/AEDC
MOSAIC Training Services and Healing Centre for Women
Ntethelelo Foundation
Open House Initiative
Opus Greens
Passover Community Building Organization
Pledge Organization (Pledge To End GBV)
Remmoho Womens Forum
Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP)
The Right2Know Campaign
Trade Union Congress of Swaziland
Sabela Leadership and Dev Initiative
Sonke Gender Justice
Soul City Institute for Social Justice
Sunshine Cinema
The Teddy Bear Foundation for Abused Children
Umoja for Africa
Unemployed People's Movement, Makhanda
Wise Collective
Women Impacting a Nation
Women on Farms Project
Women's Legal Centre
Women’s.Net
Womxn and Democracy Initiative, Dullah Omar Institute, UWC
Individual Signatories
Aarti Narsee
Aditi Gandotra
Alice Walsh
Amelia Bester
Anna Davies-van Es
Anthea Moys
Aparna Ramani
Aphiwe Ntlemeza
Axolile Notywala
Beverley Ditsie
Bibi Burger
Brenda Madumis-Pajibo
Britta Froehling
Busi Sibeko
Caitlin Pieters
Cara Browde
Carla Tsampiras
Carolyn Noble
Carrie Shelver
Catriona Macleod
Célia Mehou-Loko
Chantal Bezuidenhout
Charndre Fick
Chérie Adendorff
Claudia Lopes
David Kode
Dawn Cavanagh
Dawn Maphosa
Denise Moys
Dihlahleng Motshabi
Dimitri Martinis Martinis
Dominique Le Roux
Emil Cronje
Emily Webster
Enver Motala
Esther Meletse
Esther Ramani
Faith Pienaar
Florian Kroll
Frits Potgieter
Fundiswa Nteyi
Funzani Mtembu
Galeboe Pitso
Geraldine Young
Greg Lynch
Hannah Nefdt
Heather Van Niekerk
Helen Aadnesgaard
Janet Munakamwe
Jessica Leibowitz
Jordan Magrobi
Julia Eccles
Kamogelo Masenya
Katherine V Robinson
Katinka Vreugdenhil
Katlego Baaitse
Katleho Mchalla
Kelebogile Nape
Kerryn Rehse
Kholiswa Tyiki
Kholosa Nonkenge
Kim Lithgow
Kim Szalavicz
Kim Windvogel
Kitsi Sebati
Kyla Davis
Lara Fouche
Lauren Malgas
Laurie Levine
Lebogang Ramafoko
Lenina Rassool
Levinia Jones
Linda Harms-Smith
Lindi Bardill
Lorraine Tanner
Louise Harford
Lydia Cairncross
Lysa John
Makandal Schiess
Makhosazana Dhludhlu
Maria Prozesky
Mary-Xavier Buys-Pandong Akoumbo
Masana Mulaudzi
Mase Ramaru
Matshepo Kekana
Megan Lessing
Melissa Sparrow
Michael Joseph
Michaela Mhlanga
Mmabore Moakamela
Modise Tsasanyane
Moeketsi Malgas
Motlatsi Khosi
Nate Van Blydenstein
Nikita Ramkissoon
Nimi Hoffmann
Niren Tolsi
Nnana Bernice Ngcengce
Nomshado Ndlovu
Nomyezo Mqhele
Nonhlanhla Dlamini
Nonkululeko Khumalo
Nontsikelelo Mpulo
Nosipho Vidima
Nqobile Masuku
Owethu Ntabeni
Pamela Mankayi
Parusha Naidoo
Patricia Nyman
Phelisa Mashiyi
Philip Machanick
Phumelele Dlamini
Pregs Govender
Rasigan Maharajh
Rebecca Van Den Broek
Richard Ball
Riska Koopman
Roshan Dadoo
Rosie Motene
Rue Elizabeth Chidoori
Rumana Akoob
Sacha Knox
Shaheda Omar
Shaeera Kalla
Shamim Meer
Shereen Usdin
Shirley Walters
Sibongile Ndashe
Sibs Mthembu
Simamkele Dlakavu
Simone Sonn
Sindisiwe Cinderella Mbandlwa Makambeni
Sithembile Mbete
Songezo Mazizi
Sonia Phalatse
Sun Mabengeza
Sybil Msezane
Sydelle Willow Smith
Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan
Tebogo Lehlabi
Teboho Mashota
Teresa Yates
Terry Grove
Thandile Ntshwanti
Thembelihle Madi
Thenjiwe Nkosi
Thulz Ngubane
Tine Cornillie
Tina Thiart
Tiny Lenyehelo
Tracey Feltham-King
Tshepiso Sibisi
Vacelia Goodman
Vanessa Ludwig
Verushka Memdutt
Vivian Siyengo
Vivienne Mentor-Lalu
Vusi Ngqokomashe
Wafaa Abdurahman
Wijdane Jamari
Yamini Kalyanaraman
Yolisa Lawrence
Zama Nteyi
Zia Peter
Zimbini Madikiza
Aditi Gandotra
Alice Walsh
Amelia Bester
Anna Davies-van Es
Anthea Moys
Aparna Ramani
Aphiwe Ntlemeza
Axolile Notywala
Beverley Ditsie
Bibi Burger
Brenda Madumis-Pajibo
Britta Froehling
Busi Sibeko
Caitlin Pieters
Cara Browde
Carla Tsampiras
Carolyn Noble
Carrie Shelver
Catriona Macleod
Célia Mehou-Loko
Chantal Bezuidenhout
Charndre Fick
Chérie Adendorff
Claudia Lopes
David Kode
Dawn Cavanagh
Dawn Maphosa
Denise Moys
Dihlahleng Motshabi
Dimitri Martinis Martinis
Dominique Le Roux
Emil Cronje
Emily Webster
Enver Motala
Esther Meletse
Esther Ramani
Faith Pienaar
Florian Kroll
Frits Potgieter
Fundiswa Nteyi
Funzani Mtembu
Galeboe Pitso
Geraldine Young
Greg Lynch
Hannah Nefdt
Heather Van Niekerk
Helen Aadnesgaard
Janet Munakamwe
Jessica Leibowitz
Jordan Magrobi
Julia Eccles
Kamogelo Masenya
Katherine V Robinson
Katinka Vreugdenhil
Katlego Baaitse
Katleho Mchalla
Kelebogile Nape
Kerryn Rehse
Kholiswa Tyiki
Kholosa Nonkenge
Kim Lithgow
Kim Szalavicz
Kim Windvogel
Kitsi Sebati
Kyla Davis
Lara Fouche
Lauren Malgas
Laurie Levine
Lebogang Ramafoko
Lenina Rassool
Levinia Jones
Linda Harms-Smith
Lindi Bardill
Lorraine Tanner
Louise Harford
Lydia Cairncross
Lysa John
Makandal Schiess
Makhosazana Dhludhlu
Maria Prozesky
Mary-Xavier Buys-Pandong Akoumbo
Masana Mulaudzi
Mase Ramaru
Matshepo Kekana
Megan Lessing
Melissa Sparrow
Michael Joseph
Michaela Mhlanga
Mmabore Moakamela
Modise Tsasanyane
Moeketsi Malgas
Motlatsi Khosi
Nate Van Blydenstein
Nikita Ramkissoon
Nimi Hoffmann
Niren Tolsi
Nnana Bernice Ngcengce
Nomshado Ndlovu
Nomyezo Mqhele
Nonhlanhla Dlamini
Nonkululeko Khumalo
Nontsikelelo Mpulo
Nosipho Vidima
Nqobile Masuku
Owethu Ntabeni
Pamela Mankayi
Parusha Naidoo
Patricia Nyman
Phelisa Mashiyi
Philip Machanick
Phumelele Dlamini
Pregs Govender
Rasigan Maharajh
Rebecca Van Den Broek
Richard Ball
Riska Koopman
Roshan Dadoo
Rosie Motene
Rue Elizabeth Chidoori
Rumana Akoob
Sacha Knox
Shaheda Omar
Shaeera Kalla
Shamim Meer
Shereen Usdin
Shirley Walters
Sibongile Ndashe
Sibs Mthembu
Simamkele Dlakavu
Simone Sonn
Sindisiwe Cinderella Mbandlwa Makambeni
Sithembile Mbete
Songezo Mazizi
Sonia Phalatse
Sun Mabengeza
Sybil Msezane
Sydelle Willow Smith
Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan
Tebogo Lehlabi
Teboho Mashota
Teresa Yates
Terry Grove
Thandile Ntshwanti
Thembelihle Madi
Thenjiwe Nkosi
Thulz Ngubane
Tine Cornillie
Tina Thiart
Tiny Lenyehelo
Tracey Feltham-King
Tshepiso Sibisi
Vacelia Goodman
Vanessa Ludwig
Verushka Memdutt
Vivian Siyengo
Vivienne Mentor-Lalu
Vusi Ngqokomashe
Wafaa Abdurahman
Wijdane Jamari
Yamini Kalyanaraman
Yolisa Lawrence
Zama Nteyi
Zia Peter
Zimbini Madikiza