Khwezi, Fierce Advocate of Women’s Rights and the Fight Against Rape in South Africa, Has Died
We remember Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, known to the public as Khwezi, who in 2005 bravely accused President Jacob Zuma of rape.
A decade ago, one brave woman came forward and accused South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, of rape. In doing so, she ignited a nationwide discussion over rape and rape culture in South Africa that’s continued to this day.
Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, known to the public as Khwezi, died yesterday. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Sunday. The cause of her death has not been revealed.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that the Kuzwayo family announces the passing of our daughter Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo. In our family she was lovingly known as Fezeka, and in the public domain her supporters called her Khwezi,” the statement read. “A daughter, a sister and an aunt we will forever hold dear in our hearts. We loved her in life, let us never forget her after death.”
In 2006, a then 31-year-old Kuzwayo–who was known to South Africans as Khwezi to protect her identity–made headlines when she alleged that Zuma raped her in 2005 while he was the ANC deputy president. Kuzwayo, an AIDS activist who identified as lesbian and was HIV-positive, was the daughter of an ANC member who had spent ten years on Robben Island with Zuma. The president was a close family friend who she considered to be a father-like figure. (Kuzwayo’s own father died in a car accident in 1985.)
Zuma pleaded not guilty. During the trial, the president infamously said he had taken a shower after having sex with Kuzwayo so as to avoid contracting HIV. The president also testified that Kuzwayo was wearing a kanga (a traditional cloth) at the time and that he interpreted the dress as an invitation to have sex with her. Throughout the trial Kuzwayo faced harassment, slut-shaming, victim-blaming and threats from many Zuma supporters.
After months of litigation in the Johannesburg High Court, the president was acquitted, with the court ruling that there was not enough evidence to determine whether the sex was consensual. Kuzwayo and her mother fled South Africa after the trial and were granted humanitarian asylum in the Netherlands.
In April 2008, Kuzwayo published a powerful poem, “I am Khanga,” in the Dutch quarterly ZAM Magazine. She performed the poem, dressed in a khanga, that same year at the opening of the "Identity, Power and Connection" exhibition in Holland.
I am KhangaI wrap myself around the curvaceous bodies of women all over Africa
I am the perfect nightdress on those hot African nights
The ideal attire for household chores
I secure babies happily on their mother’s backs
Am the perfect gift for new bride and new mother alike
Armed with proverbs, I am vehicle for communication between women
I exist for the comfort and convenience of a woman
But no no no make no mistake …
I am not here to please a man
And I certainly am not a seductress
Please don’t use me as an excuse to rape
Don’t hide behind me when you choose to abuse
You see
That’s what he said my Malume
The man who called himself my daddy’s best friend
Shared a cell with him on [Robben] Island for ten whole years
He said I wanted it
That my khanga said it
That with it I lured him to my bed
That with it I want you is what I said
But what about the NO I uttered with my mouth
Not once but twice
And the please no I said with my body
What about the tear that ran down my face as I lay stiff with shock
In what sick world is that sex
In what sick world is that consent
The same world where the rapist becomes the victim
The same world where I become the bitch that must burn
The same world where I am forced into exile because I spoke out?
This is NOT my world
I reject that world
My world is a world where fathers protect and don’t rape
My world is a world where a woman can speak out
Without fear for her safety
My world is a world where no one , but no one is above the law
My world is a world where sex is pleasurable not painful
August, which also happened to be Women’s Month in South Africa, marked the ten-year anniversary of the State vs Zuma rape acquittal. As Okayafrica contributor Kagure Mugo pointed out, despite predictions that the rape acquittal would have an effect on Zuma’s career, the president still managed to rise to the highest seat in power whilst the nation forgot Khwezi and all that she went through.
One group of young women recently took a bold step to ensure the nation would remember Khwezi. On the weekend of 6 August, four women dressed in black staged a silent protest as Zuma took to the podium to address the nation following the announcement of the 2016 local government elections. They stood defiantly in front of the president and held posters that read “I am 1 in 3,” “10 Years later,” “Khanga,” and “Remember Khwezi.”
Despite attempts to silence the protestors–the women were forcibly removed by Zuma’s bodyguards–#RememberKhwezi trended for days.
Today, the nation mourns the loss of Kuzwayo and remembers her not as "Zuma's rape accuser," but as one of the nation’s fiercest advocates of women’s right and the fight against rape.
Wits FMF mass meeting mourns the passing of Khwezi in song #RIPKhwezi#RememberKhwezipic.twitter.com/LGwtaRYPG3
— Jameel (@indie_impimpi) October 9, 2016
Shaeera Kalla recites a short poem on how patriarchy is an over arching issue. Even amongst comrades #Khwezipic.twitter.com/iXq5YlKOdX
— Tebogo Tshwane (@TshwaneTebogo) October 9, 2016
#RIP Fezeka Kuzwayo. May your soul know more joy now than what this Earth unfairly offered you.
— Venus HottenTHOT (@lebomashile) October 9, 2016
Her name was Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, NOT "Zuma Rape Accuser"... May she rest in eternal peace?❤#RIPKhwezi
— Candice Modiselle (@Candie_Emz) October 9, 2016
Fezeka Kuzwayo was raped by Jacob Zuma. Fezeka Kuzwayo is not "Jacob Zuma's rape accuser."
— Native Informant (@SinoxoloMusangi) October 9, 2016
Fezekile Kuzwayo's passing hit home hard. I can't even study. It's as if I knew her & as if I personally let her down. Zuma neh? #RIPKhwezi
— Ikaelelo (@Dikhing) October 9, 2016
A Reminder
Fezekile Ntukela Kuzwayo is not the women that "accused" Jacob Zuma of rape, She was the women that Jacob Zuma raped #RIPKhwezi
— Funny Barry Roux (@Barry_Roux) October 9, 2016
RIP Fezekile Kuzwayo (a.k.a Khwezi).
We carry you in all of our struggles as black femmes. #RIPKhwezi
— Decolonially Queer (@nigeltpatel) October 9, 2016
Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo...RIP ausi. Never again should we allow our violators to give us new names and fake identities...
— Mantima Thekiso (@_ntimi007) October 9, 2016
So heart broken to hear about the passing of Fezekile Kuzwayo. You never got justice. We will always believe and remember you #RIPKhwezi
— Thuntsa Lerole (@Lizo_Buya) October 9, 2016
The tragic irony
We know Khwezi full name in death ..
— Sure Kamhunga (@SureKamhunga) October 9, 2016
Rest in peace 'Khwezi'
A woman whose life was damaged by Zuma.
A rape survivor that @Julius_S_Malema said enjoyed her rape.
Never forget.
— Jacqui The Poet (@JacquiThePoet) October 9, 2016
You were born Fezeka but died "Khwezi"!Your body stopped the fight but your soul is free.Your spirit lives on and will linger longer!
— Vusi Pikoli (@VusiPikoli) October 9, 2016
My heart breaks for the Khuzwayo family. #Khwezi's live was not in vain. History will judge how we remember her. #RIPKhwezi ✊✊✊✊
— Krivani Pillay (@krivpillay) October 9, 2016
Rest in POWER Khwezi. I give myself the responsibility to fight for every young girl that went through your pain. ?❤ #RememberKhwezi
— Smash The Fees (@sima_heleni) October 9, 2016