It has been three years since the killing of Uyinene Mrwetyana but the raw emotions felt at the time were ever present at a memorial service held for her.
The memorial was held, last Wednesday, at Clareinch post office, where Uyinene was raped and murdered by a postal employee in 2019 (“Student’s murder causes uproar,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, September 5, 2019). The Western Cape High Court handed Luyanda Botha, 42, three life sentences for rape and murder and five years for defeating the ends of justice (“Three life sentences for Uyinene’s murderer,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, November 21).
The service was held by the Claremont City Improvement District and included musical items by pupils from Livingstone High School and Herschel Girl’s High, a message from faith leaders and the laying of a wreath.
Reverend Chesnay Frantz from St Saviours Church challenged society, in particular men, to do better. Speaking as a male and faith leader, he apologised to all women saying he had started all his Women’s Day talks in this manner.
“As a male we take for granted the privilege we have of simply being able to walk into a place without fear. It is time for us to rise up against the killing of females and not simply just in words but in actions,” he said.
Claremont Main Road Mosque’s Imam Rashied Omar said the memorial was a sombre but important occasion.
“Violence against women is a pandemic in our country. We are failing our women, and it is important that we reaffirm the dignity of women. We live in a deep patriarchal society where women are being marginalised. We need to recommit ourselves in stemming the tide against gender-based violence,” he said.
Claremont police station commander Colonel Maree Louw said that in her 30 years on the force, she had seen many acts of violence against women and children. She said it was impossible for the police to be everywhere and it was important to educate young girls and children on the dangers out there.
“Uyinene did not expect anything would happen to her at a post office, but it did, and it can happen anywhere at any time,” she said.
Livingstone High Grade 11 pupil Thato Mokhutle said she lived in constant fear and hoped that one day she could feel liberated. She said acts against females had become “normalised” but that should not be the case.
“Wherever you go, you have to be on the lookout. Uyinene’s murder has shown us that it can happen anywhere,” she said.
Another Grade 11, Chuma Nyoka, echoed her sentiment, saying it was important for her to be at the memorial and remember Uyinene’s life.
“She came to the post office and ended up a victim. A post office that is right down the street from our school – a scary thought,” she said.
