President Zuma’s registration comments sexist, and insulting to survivors of violence and sexual abuse

05 March 2016

President Zuma’s comments made while registering in Nkandla today are outrageously sexist and an insult to every single woman in our country, especially those who are survivors of violence and sexual abuse. 

President Zuma is reported as saying that women were too quick to say they were being harassed when men were innocently complementing them. Apparently “when men complement you innocently, you say its harassment. You will miss out on good men and marriage”.

It is precisely this patriarchal attitude that allows for women to remain the subjects of high levels of violence and sexual abuse throughout our country. It is also this sort of thinking that keeps women locked out of the economy, and out of jobs that could bring a much needed income to their family.

The DA will report these comments to the South African Human Rights Commission. We will also write to Jacob Zuma and the ANC Women’s League President, Bathabile Dlamini, and ask that they issue an apology – without delay - to the women of South Africa for their blatant disconnect from their lived reality across our country.

South Africans must join the DA in rejecting this blatant sexism. The best way they can do this is to register for change this weekend.

This is change that will end sexism, create jobs, and build an inclusive South Africa for all her people, men and women alike. 

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme, DA National Spokesperson, 5 March 2016