South African Health Minister Accused Of Telling School Girls To 'Open Your Books And Close Your Legs'

Social media users didn't take too kindly at the aimed message directed solely at the girls at the school. Several chastised the health minister for her approach in teaching abstinence.

"This is not an appropriate way to talk to kids about abuse, sex and consent," one social media user said of the situation.

Imagine arriving on day one at school, you're welcomed by a Gov Health MEC telling you what to do with your legs. Yet, last year hundreds of underage kids were raped by males under lockdown. Nothing so far, has the Gov done anything about. Same government claims equal rights. ????

— uNolali in Mathematical Sciences???????????? (@ThembaletuMbang) January 13, 2022

Politician Siviwe Gwarube chimed in with a tweet.

"This was an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with these learners about consent… Instead you victim blame. Place undue pressure on girls," Gwarube said. 

"We place such a heavy burden of reproductive responsibility on the shoulders of the girl child; from birth control to maternity care to raising a child — we are the automatic default for carrying this mental load. The practice needs to be discouraged on every platform. Ignorance," another person added.

Ramathuba responded to the wave of backlash in an interview with Times Live, saying that her statement was taken out of context in the video shown online.

"I told the boys to focus on their education and not sleep with girls," she said.

She also mentioned that her constituents "appreciated" her address and its overall message.

"They were even saying that they were afraid to say these things and thanked me for calling a spade a spade," she said.