Each foot forward on Saturday’s (26 August) 5 km unity walk in Claremont to remember Uyinene Mrwetyana, symbolised the growing awareness and fight against Gender-based Violence (GBV) in which many, especially men, spoke out.
Ward 58 councillor Katherine Christie told the People’s Post she attended as a mother of a daughter who had been close friends with the slain University of Cape Town (UCT) student.
“The walk was enormously successful in commemorating Uyinene’s horrific and utterly premature death for the third time since her passing.
“Saps officers, my colleagues in council, community members and even the manager of the post office were also in attendance and gave an apologetic stance,” said Christie.
Mrwetyana (19) was murdered and raped by Luyanda Botha, a postal worker employed at Clarenreich Post Office in Claremont, in August 2019. Botha was sentenced to three life terms in prison for the crime.
In commemoration of Mrwetyana’s gruesome killing, scores walked from Roscommon Residence at 09:00 and proceeded to the Clareinch Post Office.
What made this walk especially significant, was the attendance of her parents, Noma and Phillip Mrwetyana, as well as her brother.
“This was the first time that the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation rallied together. It was also wonderful to see all the men that spoke out against GBV, to no longer tolerate and persist in femicide,” Christie added.
In continuing to remember Mrwetyana and many others who lost their lives due to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), UCT too gathered in support of the walk organised by the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation.
In a press statement, the university attributed one of UCT’s bleakest moments to when first-year student Mrwetyana went to the post office in Claremont to pick up a parcel and ended up being brutally raped and murdered by a male post office worker.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness, Prof Elelwani Ramugondo, said:
“The month of August is not only for the country to celebrate women. It is during this month that we are also reminded of – and we intensify our efforts in – confronting sexual and gender-based violence.
Ramugondo remembered Mrwetyana as a young student whose life was one characterised by determination, intelligence and a passion for positive change.
“As a student at UCT, she demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, an unwavering commitment to her studies, and an infectious enthusiasm for life. Her vibrant spirit, warm heart and compassionate nature made her a beloved member of our campus family.
“To honour her legacy, UCT created the Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship in the Faculty of Humanities.
“Let us remember Uyinene as not just a victim of violence but as a champion for humanity, equality and justice. Let her life inspire us to strive for a society where everyone feels safe, valued and heard,” said Ramugondo.
During the 5 km commemorating walk, people went as far as to approach Christie in a quest to change the name and purpose of the Clareinch Post Office.
“People are so reluctant to return to that building because of the breach of trust of which they are constantly reminded of due to this tragedy. They wish to also see the building being used for a another purpose, like a community centre…
“This is definitely something worth the trouble to see if it can be done. However, I had to remind people supporting this request, that the building belongs to Telkom. Thus, the onus to make these changes rests on that owner’s decision.”
