Bravo to women standing up
The case involving Deputy Higher Education Minister Mduduzi Manana beating up two women at a restaurant a fortnight ago has once more brought into sharp focus the issue of gender-based violence in our society.
The outrage by women in particular and society in general is understandable. Minister Susan Shabangu and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise were infuriated by Manana’s conduct and that came out in their reaction. Shabangu said the incident was unacceptable and nothing could ever justify Manana’s behaviour. Modise said Manana was completely out of order for assaulting the two women.
They both captured civilized society’s sentiment about the deputy minister’s conduct. Both men and women who abhor gender-based violence were thoroughly disgusted.
The same, however, cannot be said about ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini who has reportedly told one Sunday newspaper that there were other senior government leaders who were worse culprits. Why she hasn’t raised this before this incident involving Manana remains curious. However, that is a matter for another day.
Her alleged comment is unfortunate and sends a confusing signal to society, especially because the women’s league had initially released a statement that condemns violence against women and for perpetrators to face the full might of the law. Whereas some had expected the women’s league to be even more appalled and call for Manana to fall on his sword [its statement was mild], none had expected its president to argue political tools and motives where, frankly, none exist. Manana needed no political motives by others to land himself in the mess he is in.
Calling for Manana’s removal from government is not a political tool but an insistence on accountability – a rare commodity among South Africa’s political class. Everyone, even politicians and officials, should be held accountable for their actions. Government leaders like using the passive voice to refer to their bad decisions and conduct. “Mistakes were made,” and “Things got out of control,” etc. And even when they say “I take responsibility,” they almost never actually take responsibility by, for example, resigning.
Although Manana is entitled to his own life outside of the workplace, beating women in public places (even privately) is not something he is entitled to. His conduct was publicly offensive. Those who choose to politically serve the community will inevitably have their private life and public action under scrutiny. Needless to say, manana’s less than professional behaviour raises questions about what we, as society, expect and deserve from our elected officials.
As someone who is in the education sector (not that it would make it less offensive if he held another portfolio), he set a poor example for the youth at tertiary institutions. Elected officials should be the role models and pillars of our society, not the scoundrels that women abusers are. We have a responsibility as the people they represent to demand that they be held accountable, and if their superiors and comrades won’t do it then we must remember that next time we go to the election polls.
I say all the above because unless society shows its seriousness about stopping the abuse of women, this problem will continue. We need everyone to grasp that violence against women and girls is a problem for us all to eliminate. Indeed, we expect those in government to be at the forefront of the battle against women abuse.
In recent years, South Africa has strengthened its efforts on the role of men and boys in challenging violence and shifting attitudes, and this is key to addressing violence against women and girls. This is all commendable and one would have thought that Manana would be alive to how his strategic position could be used to influence the behaviour of young men, particularly at our tertiary institutions. It is a role he could still play provided he understands what remorse is.
Unfortunately, even in his apology he displays the social norm that removes responsibility from the perpetrator and seeks to blame the victims. He still talks about having been extremely provoked. Some comments on social media are buying his provocation story.
This is unacceptable as it allows social norms to promote the idea that the victims are to blame. This is damaging to the victims and also tends to influence how women and girls affected by violence are dealt with by institutions, including the institutions responsible for protecting them. And then we wonder why police were not prompt in arresting Manana.
Bravo to Mandisa Duma and Tina Mapita, the victims of Manana’s attack, for refusing to be silent and invisible statistics. Others could have been intimidated by Manana’s public office. By speaking out, they have given courage to other women who suffer abuse to come out.
In conclusion, Manana is a likeable young deputy minister with a lot of potential. I once listened to him during a parliamentary debate and he impressed me. However, he must take responsibility for his behaviour and learn to make safe, respectful and nonviolent choices even in the face of extreme provocation. He is a public figure and an elected official, after all.
PASTOR RAY McCAULEY IS THE PRESIDENT OF RHEMA FAMILY CHURCHES AND CO-CHAIRPERSON OF NATIONAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS COUNCIL (NRLC)
