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South Campus SRC uses conversations to break gender bias

01 June 2023 | Story Danelle Fisher | Photo Supplied

On 24 May 2023, the University of the Free State (UFS) South Campus Student Representative Council (SRC) held the Break the Bias Conversations dialogue at Legae Residence on the South Campus to talk about biases faced by the LGBTQI+ community.

Established in 2022, the initiative aims to educate students on the different issues faced by students on a daily basis. "This dialogue aimed to educate students on a wide range of topics related to mental health, safety, and racial disparities experienced by our students," states Gonste Choane, Senior Officer, Kovsie Support.

The SRC has created a safe space for students to address biases towards the LGBTQI+ community, with topics on awareness surrounding the community, including discrimination, sexual health, stereotypes and stigmatisation, and becoming more aware of conscious and unconscious biases and being willing to question ourselves and others. "There was a need to start dialogues/engagements among South Campus students regarding issues they encounter on a regular basis," added Choane.

The dialogue was attended by South Campus students, the Gender Equity and Anti-Discrimination Office, and associations and NGOs centred around the LGBTQI+ community. "It's important for the university community to be aware of these dialogues in order to provide the necessary support mechanisms that will enhance the academic success of all students," said Choane.

Guest speakers from diverse backgrounds were invited to share their experiences with the students.

“The initiative has successfully managed to open the door for open discussions among students regarding issues they face on a regular basis. The initiative's goal now being growth in collaboration with more campuses. "This dialogue aims to collaborate with other campuses in the future," said Choane.

News Archive

Pres Steyn turns pink in anticipation of Vryfees

2014-06-06

Video clip
Live streaming

Australian artist Cigdem Aydemir vacuum packed the Pres Steyn monument on the Bloemfontein Campus’s Red Plain – in pink. Aydemir’s project, ‘Plastic Histories’, forms part of a public art project that encourages us to evaluate public monuments in their historical context.

By vacuum packing monuments, Aydemir alludes to their significance and preservation. At the same time, though, it reveals the nature of their contentious and gendered historical function. This is because most monuments in post-colonial countries typically celebrate men’s achievements in serving their nations.

In response, this project acknowledges the contribution of women from all races, communities and sexual orientations to the grand narrative of a post-apartheid South Africa.

Aydemir is also developing an app in collaboration with Australian artist Warren Armstrong. This will be used for augmented reality viewing of three city monuments – those of President Brand, General De Wet and General Hertzog. This means that visitors will be able to hold a smart phone or iPad in front of the monuments and view the monuments as if vacuum packed in pink plastic.

In conjunction with the public art project there will be an exhibition of digitally manipulated photographs of nineteen-century and contemporary male monuments in Bloemfontein. These photos will be exhibited at the Johannes Stegmann Gallery at the UFS Sasol Library from 15 July – 1 August 2014.

Public tours on the Bloemfontein Campus and into the city will take place on:

• Tuesday 15 July at 11:00,
• Wednesday 16 July at 14:00, and
• Saturday 19 July at 11:00.

Aydemir’s ‘Plastic Histories’ public art project is part of the UFS Programme for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD) and the Vryfees arts festival’s partnership with the Australian-based SituateArt in Festivals initiative. This partnership is managed by the Salamanca Arts Centre in Tasmania.