Where was the women?

By Milestah Submitted on 27 August, 2009 - 10:19

ShareThis
Average rating
(0 votes)

Everything good used to be associated with the colour white,  symbolysing purity, cleanliness and knowledge. While darkness was evil  and black, therefore  black magic, black market ... the list is endless. Just as well  everything great is linked to manhood. Super, macho men. Which explains why Caster's strength and  physical appearance is under scrutiny and her gender questioned.

I watched in amazement at how  the  'great men' of South African  took charge of Caster Simenya's show  almost  threatening  to stealing the limelight from her during the press conference. Man after man spoke highly about her  success and obviously finding a way of associating themselves with this great  achievement. After all its good for their reputation as South Africans.

What surprised me was the fact that even the media both local and international  gave voice to the men to speak about Caster's glory. Only one woman was given the platform to praise Caster, uWinnie Madikizela  Mandela, not even the atheletes own mother was shown. Surely  this being an occasion where a woman had done the nation proud it could have been only fair to hear other female voices or see more women chanting and singing for that matter.

But alas! It had to be men.  Some clad in suits, some in sports wear, some armed with political views and using the opportunity to their advantage. They were all men from all walks of life. Some surrounding her, others guarding her all baying for her sucessful blood like vultures waiting to devour where they did not sow.

I was reminded of how  in our African cultuer when a daughter misbehaves the mother is blamed.  The father diasscociates himself from that child. However when she has done something great, the father is  applauded and he speaks on her behalf  and her brothers take charge, guarding and protecting her,  just like what i witnessed on  TV yesterday.

I could hardly hear what  Caster was saying when she finally  got the platform. Who can blame her. Just the  presence of all those men and the testosterone filled atmosphere  was enough to scare the day lights out of her, making her to force a smile.