Transformative Voices: Poetry's Role in Addressing Gender Violence in South Africa through "Every / Three Hours" and "Femicide"

• Published in: African Journal of Gender, Society & Development Society & Development, 2024-09, Vol.13 (3), p.91-114
• Main Authors: Yende, Sakhiseni Joseph, Hlatshwayo, Lindokuhle Precious
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abused women; Analysis; Apartheid; Collective action; Content analysis; Crimes against; Democracy; Epidemics; Femicide; Gender-based violence; Imagery; Poetry; Poets; Sexual harassment; Social research; South Africa; Violence; Violence against women
• ISSN: 2634-3614; 2634-3622
• DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2024/v13n3a5

In South Africa after apartheid, violence against women has become an epidemic that threatens the lives of many women in the country. Since the establishment of democracy in 1994, thousands of women have been subjected to sexual harassment and brutal violence that has led to the tragic death of women in the country. The outbreak of the disease has fuelled violence against women in South Africa. As incidents of violence against women increase, South African poets use their poetry as a message of peace, unity and love to fight against women's violence. The purpose of this article was to use the poems by "Every/ Three Hours" by Koleka Putuma and "Femicide" by Owethu Mahlalela to analyse the role of poetry in addressing gender violence in South Africa. In this article, the researchers used cultural and social analysis as a theory to understand the transformative voices. Also, this research used content analysis as a fundamental methodology. This article also revealed that Putuma’s work employs free verse and fragmented structure to reflect the chaotic nature of violence, while Mahlalela uses stark imagery and metaphors to highlight the severity and systemic roots of femicide. It was also found that many poets have used their poems to spread and convey messages about the abuse of women in South Africa. In conclusion, this article confirmed that Putuma and Mahlalela contribute significantly to the discourse on gender violence, demonstrating the power of poetry to confront injustice and inspire collective action towards a more equitable society.