Scores of women have gathered outside the US Embassy in Pretoria to protest what they believe to be the Donald Trump administration’s silence on the rising number of incidents of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
The women, protesting under the banner of the newly formed Security Personnel Party of South Africa, also questioned Washington’s support for local right-wing groups that have promoted the white genocide misinformation campaign.
Youth activist and councillor candidate Lethabo Mpete called on the Trump administration to speak out against gender-based violence and femicide rather than focusing on what protesters describe as a non-existent white genocide.
“We are here at the US Embassy to say to President Trump that we are dying. We are being killed as black women in South Africa to such an extent that it can no longer be just a South African issue. It’s a genocide, and the US government should be concerned about it,” said Mpete.
The women planted black crosses outside the embassy as an expression of grief and in remembrance of victims of GBVF.
“We say to AfriForum that you must speak out against the killing of black women in South Africa, which is an actual genocide, and not the white genocide you allege,” said the young activist.
Mpete also called on the Trump administration to reinstate aid for South African civil society organisations.
“Women are suffering in South Africa. The US government is sanctioning our government and has cancelled funding for healthcare services. You are fighting our government by cutting funds for programmes that support black communities, all because of an alleged white genocide. Is that fair? No.
“The money given to AfriForum to promote the alleged white genocide must be given to deserving NGOs that can help black women in our communities,” she said.
The article states that 23,000 women are killed in South Africa each year, the majority of whom are black.