President Cyril Ramaphosa has remembered African National Congress (ANC) struggle stalwart Gertrude Shope as a trailblazer who championed women. The 99-year-old Shope was laid to rest on Saturday. Speaking at the Shope’s funeral at the Great Hall at Wits University, Ramaphosa said she focused on the emancipation of women while faced with an oppressive apartheid government.
“We should remember that she was not only a torch bearer, but she was a trailblazer for women’s emancipation. We should remember her for her lifelong contribution to the struggle for freedom for all, but more especially, for women, as freedom for women silenced in the margins of apartheid oppression and patriarchy. She taught that the liberation, without the liberation of women, means our revolution is unfinished.”
The President has called on all sectors of society to combat the growing scourge of femicide in the country. South Africa continues to experience very high rates of such crimes.
He says men should be in the front line in the battle against Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“Ma Shope’s life’s work is not yet complete. It is up to us to take forward women’s struggles for full equality, for freedom from violence, and for the right to live in security, comfort, and peace. And like ma Sophie said all those years ago, this is not a struggle that must be waged by women alone.”
