We've all come to know and love Anathi as an honest, loving and kind person. The love she has for her friends has been evident since we met her in Season 1 of Isithembiso. We've seen her evolve into a young woman, unashamed of her sexuality and her love for God.
Unfortunately, her new found freedom and acceptance, didn't make Mike and Sizwe happy. The two boys from her tax assignment group violently raped her on the school campus because of her sexuality. Corrective rape, also called curative or homophobic rape, is a hate crime in which one or more people are raped because of their sexual orientation.
We've all come to know and love Anathi as an honest, loving and kind person. The love she has for her friends has been evident since we met her in Season 1 of Isithembiso. We've seen her evolve into a young woman, unashamed of her sexuality and her love for God.
Unfortunately, her new found freedom and acceptance, didn't make Mike and Sizwe happy. The two boys from her tax assignment group violently raped her on the school campus because of her sexuality. Corrective rape, also called curative or homophobic rape, is a hate crime in which one or more people are raped because of their sexual orientation.
This storyline, has us in our feelings and is important for many reasons. We all want #JusticeForAnathi and here's why we are rallying behind her all the way:
1. Her sexuality, her choice.
Anathi has the right to her own sexual identity, and the fact that corrective rape is still something that's affecting many women in various communities is a huge issue. Any form of human violation is unacceptable.
2. The Perpetrators must fall
Mike and Sizwe, are living their best lives and antagonising Anathi and her friends. They have no remorse for their crime. We've had enough of their overconfidence and mockery around campus.
3. Our girl squad are survivors
Our girl squad have been through the most, from Simi's rape, Lucky Dumisa, Kandy's abortion and now Anathi's corrective rape - they have all been affected by the fears that so many women live with in SA. Getting justice for Anathi will help them feel like the survivors they are.
4. The SRC needs to take a stand
The SRC should fight for student's safety & rebuke discrimination instead of playing things safe! A young woman was raped on campus, and the university should be doing more to ensure the safety of students.
5. The justice system needs to do better
Justice is failing our girl, with the two perpetrator out on bail for an amount of R 1500. This investigation deserves to take top priority and we hope it will make an example out of Mike and Sizwe.
6. Gone but not forgotten
After the horrifying experience, Anathi dropped out and moved back home. She may no longer be able to fight back, but her story is important. We hope that her absence will not nullify her right for justice.
Things aren’t looking good for justice, but we hope things will take a corner and Mike and Sizwe will get arrested. Tune into #IsithembisoMzansi weekdays at 7pm to follow the story.
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