Limpopo doctors

Limpopo MEC for Health Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Image: Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu

‘Close your legs!’ – Limpopo Health MEC’s advice to schoolgirls SLAMMED

It’s little wonder this speech has infuriated many – and Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has sparked a massive outcry on Wednesday.

Limpopo doctors

Limpopo MEC for Health Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Image: Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu

Ahh, a whole Health MEC blaming the victims, is it? Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has been soundly criticised for the controversial advice she gave to schoolgirls on Wednesday, telling them to ‘close their legs’ and ‘open their books’.

‘Close your legs’, MEC tells schoolgirls in Limpopo

Addressing the scourge of high teenage pregnancy rates at a local school, Ramathuba thought it would be best to get her target audience onside by using a catchy slogan and a chant. Her car-crash speech went like this:

“To the girl child, I say: Open your books, and close your legs. Don’t open your legs, open your books. Let me hear you say it! Open your books, and close your legs! [x3] – Thank you very much!”

Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba

Watch: Health MEC’s teen pregnancy comments draw backlash

The crude lesson in sexual health has gone down like a lead balloon on social media, where a clip of the address is spreading like wildfire. Hundreds of complaints have been directed towards Limpopo’s Health MEC:

‘Close your legs’ speech misses the point entirely

Teenage pregnancies reached critically high levels in 2021, with girls as young as 10 and 11 reporting that they were with-child. All too often, these young girls are victims in abusive – and downright illegal – relationships.

So for MEC Ramathuba to barge in with a poorly-conceived one-liner really shows that the point has been missed here. This is a societal issue, and it cannot be solved by placing the burden of responsibility on the vulnerable.

Of all the furious responses to the doctor’s school visit this morning, this one probably sums it up best: