Chairperson, the topic under debate today is indeed a sensitive one, and I am glad that the dialogue has started.
Jyoti Singh Pandey from India and Anene Booysen from South Africa shared one thing: both were raped and died as a result of these heinous acts. The difference, however, between the two countries is the manner in which civil society, the media, and the government in India reacted collectively to Jyoti's attack. The reaction was such that the country felt and showed outrage to the point that the prime minister and Sonia Gandhi were present when her body was returned home. The question is why we in South Africa have become immune to the viciousness of the attack on Anene Booysen and, for that matter, Valencia Farmer? A few of us condemned the attack. The DA led a protest march to Parliament, and today life goes on. A debate of such importance is scheduled so late. It is not on public primetime television, and the attendance in the House speaks for itself.
Violent crimes like rape have become normalised in our day-to-day psyche. A neurobiologist says that because of the high frequency and brutally damaging gender-based violent crimes, the human brain adapts to violence, normalising it, and exclude basic human remorse. Violence is a learnt behaviour. Babies are not born violent, but early childhood experiences, prolonged parental absences, substance abuse, and gang culture are some of the main contributory factors.
The DA would like the President to conduct public hearings on gender-based violence in all corners of South Africa. We should be focusing on prevention as opposed to intervention. I thank you. [Applause.]