South Africa: Violence Is South Africa's Unofficial 13th Language
[Daily Maverick] South Africa has a 13th language, which saturates daily life and numbs society through its staggering brutality.
Violence in South Africa is the nation's unofficial 13th language, saturating daily life and numbing society with its brutal impact. This language is pervasive, deeply embedded in homes, schools, streets, and all aspects of interaction. Fluent in homes, schools, and streets, it governs intimate relationships, parental discipline, teacher-student dynamics, and gender relations.
While this widespread fluency has led to a form of numbness, a recent spate of violent incidents has exposed the grim reality of this language. The gruesome discovery of women's bodies across the East Rand, including that of social runner Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, has forced South Africans to confront the deadly consequences of this language.
In the first quarter of this year, South Africa saw 5,427 murders, averaging nearly 60 fatalities daily. Gender disparities are stark: 569 women were killed during this period, with six women losing their lives each day. Additionally, 1,052 women survived attempted murders. The prevalence of sexual violence is equally alarming, the article notes.
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