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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

Stagedoor provides jolly music theatre

2013-03-16

The first-year groups of Veritas and Soetdoring were named best male and female residences for Stagedoor 2013.
Photo: Johan Roux
16 March 2013

The first-year groups of House Soetdoring and House Veritas were announced as this year’s Stagedoor winners. Soetdoring and Veritas beat seventeen other campus and city residences to be crowned as the best male and female residences in this music-theatre competition.

With residence honour at stake, nineteen residences started out in the competition, which is one of the highlights on the UFS’ art and culture calendar. Following rotations at the various residences, thirteen residences advanced to the final rounds.

In a crowded Kovsie Church, superheroes, domestic workers, nuns and traffic officers shared a stage in the finals to join in the theme ‘LIKE A BOSS.’ At the end there were only two winners: Soetdoring and Veritas.

House Marjolein was named runner-up in the female category, followed by House NJ van der Merwe. House Villa Bravado was the runner-up in the male category, followed by House JBM Hertzog.

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