GBVF victims implored to ‘take your love and quit’
ALEXANDRA – Steve Kekana’s song speaks directly to the victims of GBVF, says poet.
Women who are in abusive relationships have been called upon to take strength from a song by the late veteran musician Steve Kekana.
The call was made by Alex activist of the arts creative industry Refilwe Pieterse, herself an actor and poet, who said she was strongly touched by the lyrics of Kekana’s song, Take your Love Back Girl and Keep it, which speaks directly to women who endure abuse on a daily basis in their relationships.
Kekana (63), who passed away in his Limpopo hometown of Zebediela on July 1 after a short illness, performed the song at what turned out to be his final performance, in Soweto on June 20 at a remembrance show for one of Alex’s most iconic jazz greats, Zacks Nkosi.
The Blind Tiger, as Kekana was popularly known in the industry, took to the stage with other greats such as Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Joe Nina and Dr Blondie Makhene, and mesmerised the audience with the song, leaving the audience teary-eyed.
In an interview with Alex News, Pieterse interpreted the song for those in abusive relationships to mean ‘they should pack their bags and vacate the relationship’.
“If someone doesn’t love you anymore but instead uses you as a punching bag, you must Take Your Love Back Girl and Keep It far away from the abuser,” Pieterse implored.
She said the country was at crossroads regarding the escalating gender-based violence and femicide. “The power is in our hands as sisters. Let’s use that power and take our love back and quit.”
