Thanks, brave Cheryl

This has been a sad month for women. However, it has also been inspiring to see a young woman standing her ground while being brutishly cross-examined by a senseless defence lawyer (“Gender Body to Act over Pastor Case”, Oct 18).

Let me thank brave Cheryl Zondi for being the voice of the voiceless and seeking justice not only for herself but for all abused women. She will forever be remembered for taking such a giant step and exposing this Goliath (loser).

This case affords every man an opportunity to genuinely reflect and ask questions like what kind of monsters have we become? Is this how we want our country to be? Why don’t we put our energy into building our nation instead of destroying it? Men of all races, we are born of a woman; we are supposed to value and protect women and children. It is time to stand up against this bane of abuse of our daughters and mothers.

I urge women who have been down this road to speak out if they can and expose their violators, and I hope it will help ease the pain. To the perpetrators, be ashamed of how you have destroyed the fabric of our society.

Lastly, to all victims of rape, don’t ever lose hope. You are as valuable as you were the day you were born. I promise you, men who understand NO still exist. Real men don’t rape!

– Sonwabo Canham, Sunnyridge