The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDM WO) has expressed fierce condemnation over Oscar Pistorius’ recent participation in a public sporting event, labelling it a profound insult to the memory of his late girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The sentiment resonates deeply within a nation grappling with the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence, where each incident reverberates in the lives of victims and their families.
Pistorius, the double amputee athlete and former Paralympic champion, competed in the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 event in Durban last weekend. This marked his first public athletic appearance since his release on parole in January 2024, after serving 12 years for the conviction of murdering Steenkamp in 2013. His participation in the triathlon, where he finished third in the physically disabled category and 555th overall, has triggered a wave of outrage from advocates for women’s rights.
Thandi Nontenja, Secretary-General of UDM WO, voiced her dismay at Pistorius’s return to the public sports arena: “This is an insult to all the victims of gender-based violence in South Africa. We all know that at the moment, the country has a pandemic that is reaching a crisis point for femicide. Having him on parole is one thing, but to see him participating in public sports as if nothing had happened is heart-wrenching for the family that lost a child who will never participate in anything, not even her own birthday.”
Pistorius completed the event, which included a 1.9-kilometre swim, a 90.9-kilometre cycle, and a half marathon of 21.1-kilometres, with a total time of five hours, 56 minutes, and 28 seconds. His performance, however, has been overshadowed by the tragic history of his actions. He shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door on Valentine’s Day in 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder. This shocking incident sparked national and international outrage, igniting dialogues around domestic violence and gender-based crimes.
An attorney representing Pistorius confirmed his participation in the event, while Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, stated he was unaware if Pistorius had obtained the necessary permissions to compete and would investigate the matter further. It is understood that his parole conditions would require clearance from his parole officer prior to any travel beyond his residence.
Pistorius’s return to sports has reignited debates over accountability and the societal perception of perpetrators of gender-based violence. Activists fear that his high-profile presence in the athletic community could distract from the realities faced by victims and the continuing crisis of femicide in South Africa.