Over the weekend on Saturday, September 7 the Facebook page, “Riverman” announced that “Hope” the Lady of Black River, will now wear black.
In protest of violent crimes and rape committed against women by men, the Lady of Black River will don black for the foreseeable future. This is to represent the women who these heinous crimes were inflicted on.
Famed by the words “ENOUGH”, the post reads, “I have followed the tragic story of Uyinene Mrwetyana very closely, as I have a daughter one year older, at UCT, studying at the same faculty. I was in Nene’s parent’s shoes, from her reported gone missing status to her body being found to her funeral today, constantly feeling the anguish they go through as my daughter is my reminder – this happens to everyone, but especially to girls and women – we live in fear, and in fear for them, as they are openly targeted.”
The post goes on to explain that the community needs to take back their lives and overpower the forces of chaos and evil for what is right and good.
“HOPE, of the Black River, will be shrouded in black for as long as it takes,” the post concludes.
The Lady of Black River has been shrouded in mystery for a long time but acts as a guardian and an artistic commentary on the state of pollution at Black River. The installation is usually erected in the dead of night and seemingly just appears. We believe the artist is Fred Du Preez who we also suspect runs the Riverman Facebook page.
As South Africa struggles with the latest spike in femicide and gender-based violence, the Lady of Black River joins the protest and helps represent another cause close to the hearts of Capetonians.
Pictures: Riverman