With reference to the recent video circulating of Bitou deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi showing her firing a gun in the air during her son’s ulwaluko ceremony in Plettenberg Bay’s Kwanokuthula – which means place of peace or quiet (Kwa – from and thula – keep quiet):
Kolwapi released a statement today saying that the ‘gun’ was a “replica” and then doubled down by saying:
“The fact that this act was performed by a woman has unsettled some, and that reaction itself deserves reflection. For generations power, ritual authority, and public symbolism have been narrowly defined along patriarchal lines.”
“A woman occupying this space – confidently, visibly and unapologetically – challenges the assumption that leadership, protection and cultural authority belong to men alone. It is an assertion that women are not guests in culture or politics – we are custodians and architects of both.”
Mam – you have had you say and now it is my turn:
Aside from the fact that it is NOT traditional to greet men returning from the bush with firearms – real or imagined there are other principles at play here.
I teach my children to never ever point a toy gun (as in those garish plastic ones) at anyone.
Kolwapi says that that was a replica gun but, as one can see from all the comments and reposts, represented a real threat / fear in the eyes of all.
The basic rule governing whether you may shoot another human being in self defense is you need to believe that at that, moment you are in real danger of being killed – the real look of that ‘replica gun’ could have led another person to believe that their life was in imminent danger.
You placed your own life in danger Madam Deputy Mayor.
People brandishing guns kill, intentions kill.
People in positions of power have influence and should never be seen brandishing anything that looks like a weapon.
Hiding behind your gender is also not on.
Adults do not behave in this way.
You shattered the silence, Mam, not the cultural glass ceiling!
