South African women have had enough.

There have been calls for a “national shutdown” to protest femicide in South Africa, and women have taken to Twitter to tweet #AmINext – asking if they will become the next victim of murder or rape.

Last week, thousands took to the streets to protest violence against women in South Africa, only to be met with more brutality from riot police with tear gas, water cannons, and stun grenades.

Carte Blanche took a look at the mass protests and organised groups rising up to fight gender-based violence in SA.

On 3 August 2019, at the start of Women’s Month, a 30-year-old show-jumper and bakery assistant, Meghan Cremer went missing. Days later, on Women’s Day 9 August, her body was found in a sand mine in Philippi. But Meghan wasn’t the only woman brutally murdered in just these last few weeks.

Lynette Volschenk (32) was murdered and her body cut up in her Bellville flat; UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana (19) was raped and murdered inside the Clareinch Post Office; UWC student Jesse Hess (19) was raped and murdered along with her 85-year-old grandfather in their flat in Parow and Janika Mallo (14) was raped and murdered. Her body was found dumped in her granny’s garden in Heinz Park. As South Africa tallies up the numbers, thousands of women around the country are mobilising and protesting against the scourge of rape and murder.

Seeing South Africans come together for a common cause is always a unifying experience, but there is so much work that lies ahead.

Roll tape:

Stay energised, South Africa, because this is just the beginning.

[source:carteblanche]