Triggering Scenes On The Queen
In South Africa, we are approaching 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. The 16 days begin this year, on the 25th of November. Soapies have over the past few years joined in on social commentary on the ills that affect us as a country; specifically, Gender-Based Violence which has been a plague and dubbed the second/silent pandemic. It is no wonder that The Queen found it appropriate to introduce to the viewers a storyline that captures our hearts in this compelling manner. There is however a lot that needs to happen when these storylines are introduced.
This is not the first time The Queen has had a rape storyline, it happened with Kea and many lauded Dineo Moeketsi and Fezile Makhanya for the performance they both gave. But here is a question…to what end are we going to sacrifice our collective responsibility for sensitivity for artistic performance? It is really unnecessary to have rape scenes in a country where every few seconds a woman is raped. There is absolutely no need for the gruesome details and scenes. The Queen continuously plays the flashback of Vuyiswa, being raped. If as a viewer of The Queen you have been raped, those types of scenes are incredibly triggering, and what does that do, to the general psyche of the person watching?
I’d like to make a personal call for banning such scenes. It is really unnecessary to show women being raped as if the country needs more insensitivity around the issue.
The other gripe with The Queen? What kind of management and work situations allows a rape victim to lead and handle a rape case just because they relate? Vuyiswa should not be allowed anywhere near a victim, instead, she should be in therapy and healing. While this is the reality of most South African women, that life has to go on after a violation; Soapies do have room to change the narrative around the supposed strength of victims and survivors of abuse. Let’s be realistic.
Other Stories You May Be Interested In:
- The Queen Kea Khoza And Her Real-Life Husband Are Both Sangomas
- See: The Queen Siyanda’s Real Life Boyfriend
