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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

Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson mourned

2012-12-03

03 December 2012

Former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson has died in Johannesburg on Saturday after reportedly suffering from pneumonia.

Chaskalson was the president of the Constitutional Court from 1994 to 2001 and then became Chief Justice until he retired in 2005. He was hailed as one of the architects of South Africa’s democracy.

In a short statement Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, said: “Chief Justice Chaskalson stands as a giant on the South African landscape, a man whose sense of justice and his deep humanity put him on the right side of history as part of the legal team defending Nelson Mandela. It was completely appropriate that he was chosen to serve as the first Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, where he again served as a moral beacon for all citizens in our emerging democracy.”

IOL reports President Jacob Zuma has declared Chaskalson’s funeral a special official funeral. National flags, including that at the UFS, will fly at half-mast from Monday until Friday.

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