A women’s heavy lot in SA life

WHAT a tough time young black women are having in South Africa. The number of children, and black young women in particular, who are missing is increasing at a staggering rate.

Every day, waking up is difficult because there’s a possibility that you could become yet another statistic. Human trafficking, sexual abuse and murder are becoming the norm, especially for vulnerable people in our society.

As a commuter who uses public transport, I am faced with this predicament daily. Thinking about Bree taxi rank is an energy drainer on its own. I know I won’t be able to walk past without insults – from the nyaope boys to the dirty men in the streets who collect refuse cans.

Your dress code determines whether you will be sexually violated. What you were wearing is one of the questions asked when you report a rape case. Another is how you were behaving in public.

I wonder what the future holds for us black sisters. Social media is flooded with shocking stories of people being murdered by the people they trusted. Cases like those of the late Karabo Mokoena are just a reminder that you cannot entirely trust a person just because you know them.

You can be abused in your own home by a man who feels entitled to your body – simply because he’s a man.

Is this the continuation of a national trend?