Redi Stands For Khwezi

Social Media has exposed us to so much society and connected human beings to information like no other era has before, nothing new here. We have managed to get information effortlessly and be informed hours before the News ticker can say “breaking news” on the bottom of our favourite news channel’s screen.

But when we saw that Redi Thlabi’s twitter page had been hacked over the weekend some of us sat up and waited for what would unfold as the days went by. Then she launched her much anticipated book Khwezi at Hyde Park Mall. It is said that 700 people had sent their RSVPs but from watching the hashtag #Khwezi on twitter one could be satisfied with fantasising that it was much more than just a book launch.

From the front row you could see Dj Fresh (Thato Sikwane) and his wife and other familiar faces of the “South African broadcasting elite”. However that’s not why this blog is being typed. It’s the emotional yet poised posture in which Redi Thlabi conducted her launch. Her emotional reception to the energy expelled to her by her audience and loyal fans including her journalist peers. Not forgetting her book signing and just her gracious form throughout. The book signing is what most people would expect and why they would come to a book launch. However after the news broke that Redi Thlabi is taking all the proceeds and giving them to Khwezi’s family that is when I lifted my head up high and said to myself. This is a profound woman. A woman who stands for and with other women. I am proud to be a Black woman because of Redi Thlabi’s sacrifice and dedication.

Like I said before, this was no ordinary book launch, the subject at hand deserves this book, but the controversy attached to this book is also a scary and risky. But with that being said, this was the beginning of an era in South Africa and black authors emerging. It was a stand, a movement and a defiant statement to our current society. To say that you can stand up for the things you believe to be true. Social media was just the platform to encourage people. The work still needs to be done. We still need to be bold about the truth.

I loved what Rami tweeted: “Disclaimer: no political parties were represented, recognized, mentioned or injured at #Khwezi launch. Only party that mattered was Redi’s.”

(Image sourced off Twitter)

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