End Witchcraft-related violence in South Africa

For many South Africans a Witch is nothing but a source of mischief, quarrel, illness, barrenness and sudden death. In common usage the word is virtually synonymous with poisoner, murderer and liar and has become a label of convenience for any archetypal evil that threatens the natural and good societal order. In rural and urban South Africa, the mere suspicion of Witchcraft activity may lead to public accusation, assault, enforced exile or murder, especially in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Historically the words 'Witch' and 'Witchcraft' have been used in South Africa to describe evil or criminal practices associated with ritual killings, human mutilations and misfortune in general.

Perhaps few other words has elicited more hatred, hostility and suffering in twentieth and twenty first century South Africa than the word Witch. Since 1980 thousands of innocent men and women have been accused of being Witches or of using Witchcraft. Many have been murdered by their communities without trial. Many more have been banished from their villages, their homes destroyed and members of their families murdered or forced to flee in fear of their lives.

Prejudice against Witchcraft is widespread in South Africa and originates primarily from Traditional African belief systems and Christianity. Every month innocent men, women and children are accused of practicing Witchcraft or of bewitching others by members of their communities in South Africa. and assaulted, banished from their homes and villages,

The characterization of a person or group of persons (Witches) as 'evil' and so deserving of criminal classification by default %u2013 a characterization supported by centuries of religious and cultural prejudice - makes a mockery of the values of human dignity, equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms on which the new Republic of South Africa is founded.

South African Witches regard harmful stereotypical definitions of Witchcraft as injurious to their dignity and the use of the terms Witch and Witchcraft to describe criminal activities as discrimination on the basis of belief. The use of the English term Witchcraft with which to describe harmful magical practices brings into disrepute anyone who may self-identify as a Witch, irrespective of whether or not said self-defined Witch is a European Pagan or a practitioner of Traditional African magic.

Between 29 March and April 27 2008 South African Witches will be launching %u201830 days of Advocacy against Prejudice and Violence%u2019.

The authors of 'A Pagan Witches TouchStone' would like to encourage you to speak out against religious discrimination against Witchcraft and against Witchcraft-related violence in South Africa.

Download a FREE copy of 'A Pagan Witches TouchStone' here:

http://www.paganrightsalliance.org/press.htm

We hope that this work will enable rational dialogue on the subject of Witchcraft within a new South African context; one that recognizes the right of religious freedom and equality, self-identity and self-determination of religious minorities.

The %u201830 days of Advocacy against Prejudice and Violence%u2019 will culminate on Freedom Day (April 27) with %u2018Pagan Freedom Day%u2019 celebrations in 5 cities around the country.

Support of this advocacy campaign against Witchcraft-related violence.
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