Renewal of political culture

DESCRIPTION OF PAINTING by ARTIST
Sikelelwa Maqhina

The artwork titled new beginnings is based on the renewal of gender inequalities and challenges to patriarchy; it is a positive result of renewal that clearly depicts the representation of a renewed narrative of normalized gender inequalities in our communities. The artwork depicts a woman carrying vegetables and a man carrying a child on his back, which is unusual because typically, women are the ones who carry children on their backs even when they are doing other chores. Normally, women carry a lot of burdens; both men and women go to work, but women must still perform their domestic duties tirelessly. In most cases, women must care for their children, cook for their families, clean the house, prepare for their husbands, and ensure that everything runs smoothly in the house while the "head of the house," which is the man, does not assist in any of these activities, consequently making the man superior to the woman. Superiority is then applied in other areas of life, which is why there are so many cases of gender-based violence because men think they are superior to women. If there would be renewal in gender inequalities and patriarchy, men would be held accountable and we would have a great conducive environment in our communities because there would be unity. If renewal could be initiated in households it could also change the mentality and behaviour of men towards women generally. This renewal has the potential to lead to equality in workplaces, positions, and politics; it all begins with being considerate of the person next to you.