Mamphela Ramphele Makes Strong Statement at Ukrainian Art Expo: “There Is a War in This Country Against Women”

• Veteran political figure and activist in South Africa, Dr Mamphela Ramphele has slammed the South African government for its ties with Russia
• Speaking at the launch of ‘The Womanly Face of War’ art exhibition in Cape Town recently, the 74-year-old noted that it makes no sense to be neutral during times of injustice
• Ramphele then spoke about the pain that the women in Mzansi are still faced with and why it is important to stand against political bullies

Speaking at the launch of the Ukrainian art exhibition, ‘The Womanly Face of War’ in Cape Town recently, Dr Mamphela Ramphele had strong words to say about South Africa’s relationship with Russia.

The 74-year-old, who was on a panel of speakers at the exhibition’s opening, noted that South Africans should not be neutral in the face of injustice, especially considering the history of oppression the country is still healing from:

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“I want to apologise on behalf of my government, because it’s my government whether I like it or not. [But] they do not represent me in their neutrality. We are a people who fought for our freedom so that justice can be served, and justice is not divisible.

“But I am proud to be a woman here with you celebrating women in Women’s Month, and also celebrating the women of Ukraine who are not only fighting this unjust war but are having to pick up the pieces, and some of those pieces are within themselves because women carry the seed.”

Dr Ramphele then spoke about the struggles that South Africans, and particularly the women of the country, are faced with, with cases of gender-based violence (GBV) ever-increasing:

“There is a war in this country against women. We’ve never seen so much gender-based harm. Many studies have shown that more women suffer GBV in this country than countries at war.

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“Is that surprising? No. When you have a government that says they are neutral when people are being killed, do you think they can really stop GBV? Forget it.”

Briefly News previously wrote about the exhibition showcasing the work of four Ukrainian artists, with the art displayed in three cities in Mzansi, including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, Daily Maverick reported.

The exhibition aims to show the effect that the war in Ukraine has had on women and children, Times LIVE wrote.

Art exhibition portraying impact of war in Ukraine on women and children gets South Africa talking

In a related story, Briefly News also wrote about the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation partnering with the Ukrainian Association of SA for an art exhibition, portraying the impact of war in Ukraine on women and children.

Held in three Mzansi cities, the Cape Town exhibition opened at the Old Granary a few days ago and displayed the work of female Ukrainian artists. The launch in the Mother City was attended by Dr Mamphela Ramphele, who had strong words to say about South Africa’s relationship with Russia.

Source: Briefly News