South Africans are yet again engaged in a heated debate on racism, sparked by recent comments made on social media by a white judge, Mabel Jansen that rape is part of the “black culture”.
Judge Jansen’s comments were made last year but were recently shared by journalist Gillian Schutte. Commenting on the pervasive rape culture in South Africa, Judge Jansen wrote: “In their culture [black men] a woman is there to pleasure them. Period. It is seen as an absolute right and a woman’s consent is not required”.
“I still have to meet a black girl who was not raped at about 12. I am dead serious”.
In response to these comments, social media and mainstream media have weighed in on the conversation on the implications of Judge Jansen’s comments on rape, gender violence, power and race relations in contemporary South Africa.
Rape remains one of South Africa’s enduring problems and the rate of sexual violence is among the highest in the world. According to anti-rape lobby group, Rape Crisis, crime statistics released last year indicate that in 2014/2015 there were a total of 53 617 sexual offences reported to the South African Police Services, which translates into 147 cases per day.
It is undeniable that rape is a major problem in South Africa. However, there are many who feel that Judge Jansen’s comments are racist and prejudiced, and should be challenged because they are not helpful in tackling the real issue, which is the scourge of rape and sexual violence.
Read: Penny Sparrow calls black people ‘monkeys’ in racist Facebook post
There have been various cases of racism on social media in South Africa this year alone and observers argue that the problem needs to be decisively dealt with. Early this year, the country’s political parties agreed to criminalise racism. The agreement followed the intense debate around racism and race relations ignited by racist comments made by Penny Sparrow, a white estate agent who compared black people to monkeys. Considering the numerous cases of racism and prejudice, could criminalising racism put an end to the increasing cases?
Read: ANC proposes enactment of tough laws to criminalise racism
Social media reacts to Judge Jansen’s comments
https://twitter.com/simphiwedana/status/729547169179549696
Source: Facebook and Twitter
