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Kallie Kriel carded for policing Moonchild Sanelly’s sexuality
The Afriforum CEO was not happy with Moonchild Sanelly's choice to express herself how she saw fit.
CEO Kallie Kriel is seen during a press briefing at Afriforum’s head office where he announced that they intend to privately prosecute Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on charges of fraud and corruption, 19 April 2018, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has been called out for trying to police Moonchild Sanelly’s body after commenting on what she wore in her closing performance at the DA manifesto launch this past weekend.
Kriel took to Twitter to share a video of her performance with the comment “@zilevandamme, letting a woman dance in underwear at your #DA manifesto launch, not only sexually objectifies the female body, it shows disrespect towards women and family values…”
@zilevandamme, letting a woman dance in underwear at your #DA manifesto launch, not only sexually objectifies the female body, it shows disrespect towards women and family values… https://t.co/fmYDybgs3H
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) February 24, 2019
Moonchild Sanelly is an artist who has repeatedly spoken about sex and sexuality and has even stated she is not afraid of being in touch with her sexuality – both in life and in her music.
The artist also identifies as an advocate for the sexual liberation of women.
Kriel was immediately called out on his assertion by various Twitter users.
Ok, if one objects to something that sexually objectifies the female body, it is partriarchy? Serious??
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) February 24, 2019
Come on Kallie, don’t be that guy! Far worse than that on DStv on any given day.
— Gerhard (@GerhardPetzer) February 24, 2019
That woman made her own choices.
By imposing on her what you, a man, thinks she "should" do shows disrespect towards women.
Welcome to the 21st century
— Gertrude O. Douglas (@Gertrude_O_D) February 24, 2019
Stop. Telling. Women. What. To. Wear! Let woman decide how they want to dress and live their lives. You know what disrespects women? Men policing what they wear.
— Johann Coetzee (@Jo1Coetzee) February 25, 2019
Phumzile Van Damme immediately challenged Kriel’s view by introducing him to Sanelly and her work – both as an artist and advocate for the liberation of women.
This is @moonsanelly. Look her up, I doubt you’ve ever heard of her & I don’t her personally but I’m willing to bet top dollar patriarchs on the internet telling her what to wear bothers her none. Women can wear whatever they please. Women’s bodies are not there for you to police https://t.co/ygWfNr8m0l
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) February 24, 2019
Kriel stuck to his guns, insisting that the DA was wrong for booking her to perform but Van Damme was not having it. She threatened to block Kriel, who has been on her case for weeks on end and she made good on her threat before the day was done.
No, you’re the one who made her an object & pontificated about what she wore through your male gaze. You can take your opinions about what women ought to wear & shove it. If you continue with your personal attacks, I do not have to be subjected to your abuse, I will block you.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) February 24, 2019
DA ward councillor Renaldo Gouws picked up where Van Damme left off by emploring Kriel to get with the times and stop forcing his values onto others.
Are you scared you won't be re-elected in 2021? Since when is an objection against the sexual objectification of women conservative? 😉
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) February 24, 2019
Of course people have the right to dress as they please. My question was rather if this is the kind of message you should portray…
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) February 25, 2019
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