On Women's Day, Zingiswa Losi, the first female president of South Africa's largest trade union federation, Cosatu, is on a quest to champion for women's rights.
Losi, head of Cosatu since 2018, spoke to Weekend Argus about the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and the need for more women to unite in building on the aspirations that was mapped out in 1994.
The 46-year-old, who smashed decades of male patriarchy to be where she is today, said it was imperative that the voices of all women be amplified to abolish entrenched chauvinistic behaviour.
Women’s Day is being celebrated against the backdrop of escalating crimes perpetrated against women and children. Nearly 11 000 people, mostly females, were raped during the first three months of the year.
In one of the latest incidents, at least eight women were gang-raped by suspected illegal mine workers while filming a music video in Krugersdorp.
Losi said gruesome incidents such as the Krugersdorp case kept her up at night.
“The worst thing to do is to rape a woman. It’s the most gruesome crime one can ever commit. because the violation that comes with it is unforgivable.”
The trade unionist said more courts should be dedicated to deal only with GBV cases.
“Can we have more institutions in our country to deal with such crimes?” she asked.
“During the 2010 Soccer World Cup, we had special courts for crimes that were committed during (that) period and investigations and prosecutions were happening very swiftly… so why can’t we now have more special courts for such heinous crimes?”
Losi said GBV was becoming a full-blown pandemic.
“The violation of women and children in our country is a pandemic… GBV and femicide is a serious crime against humanity and it has to be given the attention it deserves,” she said.
Losi supports the death penalty.
“It’s a debate we’ve had as a country and yes it should (be reinstated), but only if one can prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that someone is indeed guilty and committed that crime.”
“There are men who went to jail, spent 10 or 14 years convicted of sexual offences that they never committed. Their lives were destroyed because of false accusations.”
Last week at the ANC’s policy conference a call was made by the party’s sub-committee on social transformation for the chemical castration of rape offenders.
Losi called on the women to amplify and “make their voices heard".
"We need to not shy away from raising our voices especially in building this country, in building our organisation and in building our communities. We are the backbone of society, the ones who bear the most burdens."
The mother of two, who hails from the small town of Kwazakhele in the Eastern Cape, said men should be barred from “telling us women what to do”.
“We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be used, ‘cause long gone are the days when they pull the strings and the dolls just starts to dance,” Losi said, breaking into sobs.
“We should call men to order… Mama Winnie Mandela was brave enough, Charlotte Maxeke was strong enough; we can be too.”
Losi said her mother, who died in 2018 due from a stroke, was her rock, her pillar and beacon of hope.
“My mother taught me to never feel pity for myself. She just did not like it. She told us to face our issues and not just cry over it and she also taught me how to stand up for myself and to believe in who I am.”
Losi, whose term is expected to come to an end next month, said a lot was achieved under her leadership, including the signing of the minimum wage agreements.
“We gave domestic workers a minimum wage of R23.19 per hour and the same for farm workers,” she said.
“I am proud of the achievements.”
Losi said it was still unclear whether or not she’ll stand for a second term when the federation holds its conference next month.
“To me it is not about whether one wants to stand or not, but about the people … If nominations are coming and they overwhelmingly in support of me, I will make myself available,” she said.
Behind closed doors, Losi relaxes with a good movie, especially comedies.
“When I’m not at work, I’m a person who talks much less,” she said.
“At home I’m a Zingi that is funny and I know that is hard to believe; but that’s the private Zingi.
“I love people to laugh around me, I want people to be at ease with me, because that’s the only time I don’t need to be a politician and where I can just be myself.”
Losi said she wanted to leave behind a legacy that other women could be proud of.
“I would love to be remembered as one among many women in our country who was fearless, who stood her ground, who stood on principles and someone who believed in not only herself but also in empowering others,” she said.
Weekend Argus.