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16 May 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu

According to the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) at the University of the Free State (UFS), an alarming number of transgender and gender-diverse persons at South African institutions of higher learning are consistently met with a great deal of neglect and exclusion. Therefore, it is imperative to constantly shine light on the injustice and violation of their human rights in order to enable spaces that acknowledge their lived realities and uphold their human dignity. 

The importance of the march

As such, the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office will be hosting a transgender march on the Bloemfontein Campus on 17  May 2022. 

“The aim of this march is to raise awareness about issues of transsexuality and gender-diverse individuals. We hope to accentuate the voices of transgender individuals and gender-diverse persons on our campuses,” expressed Delisile Mngadi, Assistant Officer in the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office. The march will commence at 09:30 from the Main Gate and will end at the Centenary Complex. In addition, members of the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office argue that the purpose of the march is to remind members of the UFS community and the society at large that the stories, the voices, and experiences of transgender and gender-diverse individuals do matter.

An invitation to staff and students 

Members of the UFS community, regardless of how they identify, are invited to take part in the march. “It is also important that cishetero persons attend the march; this shows that they stand in support of all gender-diverse persons, and it is also a great opportunity to learn.  Another reason why it is important for cisgender persons to attend the march is because violence and discrimination targeted at transgender persons remain a daily reality on our campuses, which inadvertently maintains heteronormative notions and patriarchal power that validates transphobia and homophobia,” Mngadi indicated. 

UFS staff and students who will be in attendance can expect to hear speeches from a few invited dignitaries. In addition, Mngadi, along with other members of the office, maintains that this is an opportunity for staff and students to engage with one another. The march is particularly important because it will teach staff and students “to be aware of the diversity that exists within our institution, a diversity that transcends language, religion, and ethnicity – to name just a few. People will also learn to respect this diversity, and most importantly, to understand that all lives matter”, said Mngadi.

News Archive

Mr Naka Drotské is Kovsie Alumnus of the Year
2006-03-03

Alumni of the University of the Free State (UFS) appointed Mr Naka Drotské as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year 2005.

The award is made to Mr Drotské for the professional way in which he led the Cheetah Rugby Team last year.  This played a determining role in the team’s 2005 Currie Cup victory.

The Cum Laude Award, made from time to time to any alumnus for outstanding service or achievement at local, national or international level in his/her specific career domain, will be awarded to Mr Harold Verster (president of the Free State Rugby Union). 

Mr Verster receives the award for the role he played in the inclusion of the Vodacom Cheetahs as Super 14 team, as well as for his leadership that contributed to the success of the Cheetah Rugby Team in 2005.

 Prof Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law at the UFS, receives the Kovsie Alumni National Management Award for Exceptional Service.  This award is made from time to time to an individual who has rendered exceptional service to the UFS. 

 Prof Henning receives this award for his role in the expansion and development of the Faculty of Law as academic, centre head, department head and, especially, as dean.

 The award ceremony will take place on Friday 10 March 2006 during a Gala Award Banquet in the Reitz Hall of the UFS Centenary Complex on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.  

 All alumni of the UFS are welcome to attend the function.  The guest artist is Matthys Roets and the entrance fee of R80 per person includes a three course meal.  

Those who are interested can contact Ms Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at (051) 401-3594 or alumni@mail.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
3 March 2006

 

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