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Would Baleka Mbete, Lindiwe Sisulu and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma ever dare wear these tees?

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When women and children fall victims of sexual and violent crime in South Africa they tend to end up as nothing more than grim statistics, News24 suggested last year in an article detailing several gruesome female murders.

Headlines last for a week or maybe less and then *poof* the victims become irrelevant. The next case pops up, and the vicious cycle continues.

Last year I wrote an article on the lack of empathy we as a nation have for violent crime, noting that we have become almost immune to it, as it's too often something that is experienced by someone else, and perceived as something that won't happen to you. 

Existing in silos of privileged, ignorance or beaten down acceptance we are often left with a feeling of being powerless to change our society's utter disregard for equal gender rights. So we keep allowing it by doing nothing. And we mostly do nothing because we have no idea what to do. 

Read: Vicarious or ‘secondary’ trauma is very real in SA - how you can deal with it

Now Mail and Guardian is reporting that either National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, newly appointed deputy president of the ANC Lindiwe Sisulu or ANC MP Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma might be chosen to step in as possible interim presidents when Zuma steps down (fingers crossed).

These three women are all very different politicians and hopefully, if chosen to lead us, they will make many significant contributions in terms of gender equality and other issues that affect women. 

And I want them to wear feminist t-shirts. With some jeans, but a more formal pairing could definitely work. 

The statement style movement has grown from strength to strength over the last few years but seems to champion white feminism almost exclusivity.

And though this movement has not done much more at grassroots level than to make feminism a bit cooler, it has mobilised many who were otherwise disinterested. 

Image: Giphy

So lets imagine these three powerful South African women strutting into parly clad in one of these tees: 

1. Baleka Mbete

As someone who's described herself as a feminist, this should become an easy addition to her stylish wardrobe.

As she says 'boy bye' to Zuma, why not fight the patriarchy with this unique slogan tee? 

2. Lindiwe Sisulu

As former Human Settlements Minister and now second in command, she would do well sending a message that she will start protecting women abused by even the most influential and powerful men in the country.

This shirt is for you Lindiwe...

3. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

It's time for her to prove her leadership and help other women break glass ceilings as she did as the first woman to chair the African Union.

How about this? 

Images: Gallo and iStock.

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