Democracy's Shadows: Sexual Rights and Gender Politics in the Rape Trial of Jacob Zuma

Abstract

This article examines the implications of the trial of Jacob Zuma, current president of the ANC, for sexual and gender politics in South Africa. The article argues that a central, contested issue in public debates on the trial was the relationship between public and private spheres in society. This article was written in honour of my dear friend and mentor, Professor Jacklyn Cock, on her (putative) retirement in 2007. Thanks, as always, to WUJWG for their thoughtful comments on an early draft. The final version also benefited from the sharp insights of Irma du Plessis.