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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

Badminton: Kovsies rule the national students championships

2006-04-11

Kovsies' badminton players again, as in the past few years, rule the national students championships currently being presented in Pretoria by TUT and UP.

The men, Chris Dednam, Roelof Dednam, Wiaan Viljoen and Raymond Ronne, had no other serious competition and were left to each other's rivalry. Especially Roelof Dednam performed excellent by surprisingly going through to the finals in beating Viljoen in the singles, and with Elaine Lues also Chris Dednam and Liansa Coetzee in the mixed doubles.

In the absence of Annari Viljoen (injured) and Sone Strauss (retired), the less experienced girls, Liansa Coetzee and Lizl Janse van Rensburg, had to uphold the Kovsie name. They performed excellent by taking third and fourth positions.

In the team competition which now takes place, Kovsies should make a clean sweep.

It is a pity that, through financial restraints, Kovsies players will not in October strengthen the SASSU team to the world student championships in China.

Results of the individual championships:

Men's singles: winner - Chris Dednam (UFS), runner-up - Roelof Dednam (UFS), third - Wiaan Viljoen (UFS), fourth - Raymond Ronne (UFS);

Men's doubles: winners - Chris Dednam / Roelof Dednam (UFS), runners-up- Wiaan Viljoen / Raymond Ronne (UFS);

Women's singles: winner - Kerry-Lee Harrington (KZN), runner-up - Christina English (TUT), third - Liansa Coetzee (UFS), fourth - Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS);

Women's doubles: winners - Kerry-Lee Harrington (KZN) / Christina English (TUT), runners-up - Liansa Coetzee (UFS) / Maret Visser (NW), quarter-finals - Elaine Lues / Anel Vorster (UFS), Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS) / Sarah Rice (Wits);

Mixed doubles: winners - Andre van Schalkwyk / Christina English (TUT), runners-up - Roelof Dednam / Elaine Lues (UFS), third - Chris Dednam / Liansa Coetzee (UFS), fourth - Wiaan Viljoen / Liezl Janse van Rensburg (UFS).

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