In South Africa, Mary Sibande, Donna Kukama and Nondumiso Msimanga are appropriating monuments erected in the public space to overthrow political symbols imposed by white power for more than a century. In addition to questioning history, the three artists denounce the scourge of sexual violence that is developing with impunity in their country.
Today, South Africa is the country with the highest rate of rape in the world: in 2013, a study [Link: http://www.sasdirtylaundry.co.za/rape-statistics.php] conducted by the Medical Research Council revealed that up to 3,600 rapes may be committed every day in the country. Only one in thirteen people report these crimes to the authorities according to the Institute for Security Studies.
“Rhodes Must Fall” chanted South African students at the University of Cape Town in March 2015 as they attacked the statue of General Cecil Rhodes at the entrance to the campus. The bronze monument, which dates back to 1934, was erected as a reminder of white supremacy in a country ruled by apartheid until 1994….
