Limpopo women wearing the pants again

WOMEN from 11 villages in Limpopo can finally wear pants after a year-long ban.

Following the death of their chief Khosi David Phooko, who died last year, traditional leaders banned women from wearing pants to show respect to their late chief as part of the mourning process.

Loud music was also not permitted during this period. Women and girls from the age of five were fined R500 for violating their village ’ s decency laws by wearing pants.

But, after several complaints from the villagers in Sekgosese outside Modjadjiskloof, the ban on wearing pants and playing loud music was lifted after six months.

Rituals, traditional drums and dances, followed by a cleansing ceremony at a sacred place, marked the end of the no-pants ban.

The first part of the ceremony was done secretly in the royal house and part two ended in a ceremony open to all villagers.

Lehlabile Mokgethi, from Kwatane village, said she was happy that she could play music and wear trousers again.

Local traditional council member David Malatji thanked the community for their patience and cooperation over the six months.

“In favour for the community living normal lives again with pants for women and loud music on, the Sekgosese traditional leaders decided to cut short its rules,” he said.

From Sunday, women were wearing pants and taverns were playing loud music.

Commission for Gender Equality spokesman Javu Baloyi said recently that the rule from the traditional leaders was unacceptable and violated the women ’ s rights.