Exploring The Influence Of Virginity Testing On The Lives Of Female Characters In Zakes Mda’s Our Lady Of Benoni

Abstract

Virginity testing is an African practice that has stimulated much discussion among people from different walks of life. It
has started many years ago and is still taking place in some African communities. Its purpose is to ensure purity among
young brides to their parents and future in-laws (Singer, 2003). Madlala (2002) confirms that this cultural practice also
serves as a way of reaching consensus on the amount of bride price (lobola) to be transferred by the groom’s family to
the bride’s family. Conversely, virginity testing is a gender-based violation of women’s rights because it discriminates
on the basis of gender in that only girls and not boys, are subjected to this kind of practice. This usually has a traumatic
effect on the dignity, self-esteem and well-being of the girl-child, especially if she fails to pass the test. This study,
therefore, aims to explore the influence of virginity testing in the lives of female characters in Mda’s Our Lady of Benoni
(2012). It is a qualitative study which is grounded on the Feminist theory. Mda’s Our Lady of Benoni was purposively
sampled for this study from other plays by him because of it resonates with the title of this article. It is, furthermore,
textually analysed. Arguments on virginity testing are cultural while those against it are human-rights related. This study
highlights the need for an interface between these two diametrically opposed arguments to be forged in order for
humanity to prosper