The University’s Anti-GBV Picnic, held at Bird Street Campus under the theme “Let’s Spring Up for Change”, encouraged students to become active participants in preventing GBV and promoting safety, dignity, respect and equality.
The event was hosted Department of Student Governance and Development (SGD) in partnership with the Madibaz SRC and supported by the Senior Director’s Office: Missionvale, Second Avenue and Bird Street Campuses, the University’s Arts, Culture and Heritage, and the Mandela Bay Complex Theatre.
From left Thabisa Makolota, Sharon Masiza, Liyabona Maselane, Jeffrey Maswanganyi and Phumeza Dolo
The various role players featured their contributions together with music and cultural performances.
Thabisa Makolota from SGD said the theme symbolises renewal and calls for a new social consciousness where violence, abuse and harmful gender norms have no place in student residences.
The event also featured the final showcase of the Sarah Baartman Programme by Arts, Culture and Heritage student societies (right) using creative expression to explore GBV, identity, discrimination and human dignity.
Senior Director: Missionvale, Second Avenue and Bird Street Campuses Sharon Masiza emphasised the importance of creating spaces where students can speak openly about GBV and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to addressing safety concerns and maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to GBV.
Madibaz SRC Transformation Officer Liyabona Maselane urged students who have experienced GBV, harassment or discrimination to seek support.
“Your experience matters, your voice matters, and you deserve support. You should never feel ashamed for seeking help, and you should never feel that you have to deal with anything alone,” she said.
Former Madibaz SRC officer Jeffrey Maswanganyi called for support information to be more accessible, proposing standardised student support information boards in residences and other areas frequently used by students.
“Even the best policies are limited if students do not know where to access help,” he said.
Phumeza Dolo, founder of ISthebe Kitchenette, shared her experience of surviving repeated sexual violence and rebuilding her life. She spoke about her childhood trauma, later experiences of violence and her decision to establish a soup kitchen in Cape Town to give back to her community.
Reflecting on her journey, Dolo encouraged students to support one another.
“You might not have experienced rape or GBV, but we must look at the people around us and take care of them,” she said.
Through initiatives such as the Anti-GBV Picnic, the University aims to strengthen prevention and support systems and empower trained GBV Ambassadors to promote safer, more inclusive and GBV-free residence communities.