Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Xhosa Student Association and GEADO host dialogue about gender-based violence

05 September 2023 | Story Nicole Bongo | Photo Supplied

GBV dialogue 2023 — The UFS Xhosa Student Association and Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office joined forces to host a dialogue to enlighten students on combating gender-based violence.

The Xhosa Student Association at the University of the Free State (UFS), along with the UFS Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) on its Bloemfontein Campus, recently hosted a dialogue titled ‘Aiding the Victim’, to educate students about what perpetuates gender-based violence, and inform them about UFS support services available to help fight GBV.

The discussion was held at the Education Auditorium on 25 August 2023, and students were challenged to pinpoint what GBV is and what it looks like. Balisa Nqambuza, Chairperson of the Xhosa Student Association and second-year BA student majoring in psychology and philosophy, said, “There is a need to have these tough conversations, as they provide insight on how to combat GBV in the future... We have had enough talks about the problem, and it is very important to start speaking about solutions that inform people of what they can do when encountering GBV.”

The event organisers said the dialogue was an opportunity for GEADO and the Xhosa Student Association to inform students about support structures within the university that provide help for students through free counselling sessions.

“The objective was to bring awareness about GBV victims amongst us, and how to assist them better, and to also highlight comprehensive approaches, as dialogues may discuss holistic approaches that address the multidimensional impact of GBV, including psychological, emotional, physical, and economic consequences,” said Pebetsi Kgole, a guest speaker and intern from GEADO.

In May 2023, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund reported a shocking rise in violence against women in South Africa, with 969 murders and 1 485 attempted murders recorded over this period. The UFS has put many structures in place to help in the fight against the scourge of GBV.

Other support services available include a sexual offense response team made up of GEADO, Protection Services, Kovsie Health, access to psychologists and social workers, and free services to help victims feel safe in a secure environment.

News Archive

UFS Council approves Moshoeshoe memorial lecture

2004-11-29

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the implementation of a Moshoeshoe memorial lecture as from next year.

“This initiative forms part of the bigger Moshoeshoe project to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. The project was launched in April 2004 as part of the UFS centenary celebrations. One element of the project was the production of a documentary film, commissioned by the UFS, which was broadcast on SABC2,” says Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“The Moshoeshoe project, which honours the founder of the Basotho nation’s example of nation-building and reconciliation, is a practical demonstration of the university’s commitment to the continued transformation of the campus and the creation of a new inclusive institutional culture for all staff and students,” says Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie the memorial lecture will have a conscious continental focus with speakers from South Africa, Africa and the African diaspora.

“The high-level lectures will raise critical issues about models of African leadership for the African Renaissance and will contribute to the discourse on nation-building, reconciliation, political tolerance, diversity management etc,” says Prof Fourie.

The first Moshoeshoe memorial lecture is likely to take place in March 2005 on the anniversary of his death.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
29 November 2004

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept