Women and child abuse scourge in limelight

Artists in Alexandra are adding their weight to an outcry against the scourge of women and child abuse through a musical piece.

The event takes place in Youth Month, when crime and violence against children and youth are centre stage at schools, in the courts and in others spaces.

The eight-member female cast, who aptly depict this societal challenge, are rehearsing at Olive Tree Theatre for the scheduled shows sponsored by the Department of Community Safety.

Under legendary producer Misheck Mavuso, they are polishing the piece, titled Open Windows, which featured at the Nasrec Expo on 17 June to mark Youth Month. There will be a show for school children on 22 June at San Kopano Community Centre, and for the general public in Alexandra in September.

Upbeat Production Manager Jerry Motswane lauded the eight talented ladies for putting the spotlight on this issue.

Actress Zodwa Nkosi said the play, which debuted at the Market Theatre last year during the commemoration of 16 Years of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, tackles an unrelenting scourge.

“Its story line is of female characters who are scarred by abuse and are in a sheltered place resulting from emotional, physical and social wounds inflicted on them by those they expected to protect, love, cuddle and affirm their equal and human status,” Nkosi said.

One is on parole for the murder of an abusive husband, another is a lesbian victim of corrective rape, and another was abducted at 11 years old and and raped for 10 years until her rescue by the police in her adulthood.

“They characterise the continuing disempowerment of women and children by those who, instead of offering trust and love, want to control and treat them with monster-like violence and, maim them when they feel they are in full control.”

Nkosi is hopeful that the play will enhance awareness of shelters that are available to take the victims in, help them to recover, understand the complexity of relationships, how the control evolves and men’s desire to maintain a macho image on the weak when they can’t exert the same on other men.

“Women ought to be enlightened that they can live happily with and without depending on men and can exit an abusive relationship without self-blame.

“The play exposes them [women] to the signs of abuse to enable them to decide before they become victims, empower them with self-belief, consider life and coping skills provided in shelters as they transition to normal lives without abuse.”

This, she said, will also help them to play a mother and father figure to the children, who often are driven to life in the streets to avoid the unhealthy and abusive parental relationship at home.

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