On Friday August 07 2015, hundreds marched down High Street in Grahamstown, taking part in the largest anti-rape and sexual violence protest in South Africa.
The protestors filled the Cathedral of St Michael and St George to capacity, and the space was soon aglow with candlelight; survivors of sexual violence stood before the apse, and after as long as 12 mute hours, without food or water, participants removed the black tape from one another’s mouths and broke the silence.
The march and the ceremony in the Cathedral concluded a day long programme involving lectures, meetings, speeches and poetic readings concerning the danger of rape culture.
Lindsay Kelland, the organiser of the Silent Protest, said that the fact that most perpetrators are known to those they abuse, shows that there is something very wrong with our ‘normal’ gender relations.
"We have so many issues about social justice in this country" said Kelland. "And the problem is that because not everyone is directly affected many don't see themselves as perpetuating this in any way."
It is the taboo of putting sexual violence in the public domain which the visual metaphor of taped mouths and ‘rape survivor’ T-shirts highlights.
Noting that many might not feel their experiences amount to rape, Kelland said that participants can also choose the shirts stating just ‘Survivor’ and in space below add a personal description.
Protester Izzie van Wyk added a quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, “she had not known the weight until she felt the freedom.”
Van Wyk, said she found out about the protest before applying to Rhodes and has been looking forward to it ever since.
First year Law student Pumza Luthengo also took part in the event for the first time, but as a silent participant. It was a powerful but difficult experience, she said.
“The whole day since six am, I haven’t eaten and I just felt that I was not part of society. I kept remembering when they put the tape on and that feeling that someone had taken my voice. And it made me realise that this is how people feel every day.”
Not only students, but members of Rhodes staff and Grahamstown residents wore purple T-shirts in support.
Supervisor for Central Cleaning Services Linda Yopi said that she takes part because the issue affects the entire town.
“Before, I was not so familiar with why they did the protest, but I went to the gathering this morning at Mullins and I was almost in tears. You can just tell how people are suffering,” said Yopi.
Kelland said that the organisers made additional effort this year to involve the broader Grahamstown community and that partners such as The Raphael Centre were very helpful in distributing flyers and T-shirts.
“I’m excited to see what happens at the ‘Die-In,’” said Kelland, “because it’s the first year that we are holding it in the Cathedral Square instead of at Rhodes.”
Joza resident Siyabonga Mdyozolo at the ‘Die-In’ said that he and his friends had heard about the event at the Assumption Development Centre and had come to show their support.
“Because I’m against rape and women abuse, and I hope women can be respected” said Mdyozolo.
At the Cathedral ceremony survivors told their stories, poetry and song was used to express painful and incomprehensible memories.
Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela speaking at the final ceremony thanked the participants saying: “For many this day has been an emotional journey, thank you for staying the course. We wish to express our collective support, and say that we will do what we can to help you reclaim your life and dignity.”
Article by: Jane Berg
Photo by: Hlumela Mkabile