The South African political party showing up for votes is reprimanded and words are not enough as LGBTI community screams for action
By Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2013.
A rainbow flag flies amidst the dust as Duduzile Zozo is laid to rest.
The beloved daughter and lesbian community member from Thokoza township, Johannesburg, was remembered and laid to rest at Church Hall & Kromvleiplaas cemetery.
Duduzile Zozo was found brutally murdered near the home of her mother, after a sexual assault, now believed to be yet another so called “corrective rape,” a crime of hate against lesbians.
Political factions
The crime is endemic in South Africa and is now being used politically by vying political factions, who purport to care while doing nothing to change the milieu of hate. And so they showed up at the pre-funeral memorial, bringing more chaos and questions to an already deeply controversial climate.
The ANC Women’s league now invoke the question as to whether or not it was right and respectful to attend the memorial and funeral, when the ANC, the ruling South African party, has done very little but pay lip service to these crimes of hate, which target a minority of South Africans.
With the fully inclusive South African equality based constitution, the ANC of Mandela ensured that no group in South Africa would ever be a target for persecution again, but as the former President struggles through these last years of his life, his vision remains unfulfilled, as members of the South African black LGBTI community are victims of persecution through homophobia, and suffer each and every day at this sword of hate.
The body of Duduzile Zozo was found with a toilet brush inside her vagina, a symbol, her grieving mother noted, of the hate for her sexuality and to strip Duduzile of her dignity and right to being. (Read #1. Below). The mother expressed her love and unconditional acceptance of her daughter and noted that the perpetrator, through his extreme brutality and symbols wants the family to continue suffer because of Zozo’s sexuality.
All the while her family struggles with poverty and the inability to pay for the funeral. ANC President Zuma adorns his many wives with Mercedes. And his women’s league show up for votes.
If it is at all political, then let it be about the LGBTI politics of ending the scourge of hate crimes. But do not show up for votes – take action if you care- seems to have been the call:-
“The service was opened with a prayer by Pastor Teboho Sentoeli. After that, the mood became very tense when clashes as to who is suppose to speak first between LGBTI groups and political parties, in particular ANC.
“I am frustrated by the excitement and hype around Duduzile’s funeral, it feels as if we are in a political rally, or maybe its because next year is the election“, said Phindi Malaza of FEW.
From the side lines it seemed like the ANC wanted to take over the whole event. However, Magoloza who represented the LGBTI youth in Thokaza, took matters into her own hands by reminding the ANC delegates that the memorial service was not a place to rally for votes, but a place to mourn.”
However all the LGBTI community with each burial asks for an end to the violence through education and outreach and a concentration by police and authorities on bringing perpetrators to swift justice with stringent punishment fitting the horrendous crimes. Families and victims should receive help and support. The suffering is unbearable. ( See Video of Mother speaking…Read # 2. below)
Let the pictures speak:
Photos by Collen Mfazwe © 2013 – Inkanyiso
Captions by Melanie Nathan:-
Will the dust ever settle as we bury comrade after comrade through these crimes of hate?
Over 500 people attended the funeral of Zozo to bid farewell and comfort her heartbroken family
A 26 year old in a coffin because a man decided that her body was not her own and her sexuality belonged to him – how does a community make sense of such hate?
Anger and calls for justice and change
Rest in Peace Dudu Zozo but we will not rest until the murderous hater is brought to justice
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Photos by Collen Mfazwe / Inkanyiso ©- 2013 All Rights Reserved.
Please visit INKANYISO to see more Photos.
Where: Church Hall & Kromvleiplaas cemetery, Thokoza township, Johannesburg
What: Duduzile Zozo’s funeral
When: 13/07/2013
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1. Another Lesbian Brutally raped and murdered in South Africa
by Melanie Nathan on July 1, 2013
By Melanie Nathan, July 01, 2013. A lesbian woman has been brutally raped with a toilet brush and murdered in what is believed to have been a hate crime in Ekurhuleni over the weekend. The half-naked body of 26-year-old Duduzile Zozo was found in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, outside of Johannesburg, on Sunday morning, in what is another […]
2. Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder
by Melanie Nathan on July 7, 2013
Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on […]
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Sad day!!! Sad ….. hate never takes one anywhere!!! Duduzil Zozo — may you rest in peace. Never be forgotten. Feverishly hoping that someday this will end!!! We ALL are ONE!!! Thanks for the post …… re-blog: http://hrexach.wordpress.com/
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
The completely wrong belief that lesbians can be cured via “corrective rate” …. that’s sickening and a sign of a twisted mind. How can a woman attain pleasure with a toilet brush????
This is very sad. I knew Dudu, she lived not very far from my grannies house.
Always sweet, respectful and loving. I must say that i was shocked when i heard the news. may these cruel bastards be caught & brought to justice
Please be sure to know we are keeping an eye from here and will give as much publicity to them being caught as we can. I hear local activists are bringining much pressure to cops to do their work. We must not stay silent until they are caught and see justice for her.
I sure hope that that pressure continues and something is done. The system is so flawed! No silence ……
This is so sad!! And it could happen to anyone. My heart goes out to them ….. her family and those who cared for her! :-(