In response to the recent wave of violence perpetrated against women, staff members and students assembled for a day of mourning on the Bellville Campus on Monday.

Dressed in black, the CPUT community gathered in front of the Administration building in show of solidarity to victims and survivors of gender-based violence and to acknowledge the first-year CPUT Nursing Sciences student who was abducted and raped after finishing a shift last week.

Addressing the crowd, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, re-emphasised management’s commitment to zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and urged students and staffers to join hands and take action.

“Be vigilant of this GBV monster in and outside of university spaces,” said Nhlapo adding that the GBV Emergency Number is 021 959 6550 and Department of Student Affairs’ is 060 980 0286

Nhlapo also emphasised some of the interventions already in place at the institution including the following:

• Thorough vetting of staff during recruitment;
• A basic “green” or safe route through campuses;
• Stronger access controls and CCTV cameras;
• More security patrols, lighting and a rapid response unit on campuses;
• Better monitoring of number plates;
• After hours for the campus clinic and counselling departments and;
• A tribunal and ombudsman for GBV cases;

Female student leaders, representing all campuses, also used the platform to raise their ideas for making their campuses safer for all.

“Ultimately we believe the points being made by female students were valid, and they were discussed at length at a Management Committee meeting held directly after the programme,” Nhlapo later reported in a communique to the university’s community.

Nonkosi Tyolwana, Director: Transformation, Social Cohesion and Diversity, said academic freedom fosters open and public debate over major issues facing society.

 “Your presence today gives the university great courage and hope,” said Tyolwana. “GBV is not just another form of violence. It is a threat to human life. A denial of human dignity. Sadly our female students and staff suffer the most.” 

Ultimately we believe the points being made by female students were valid, and they were discussed at length at a Management Committee meeting held directly after the programme.

Written by Kwanele Butana

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT today declared a zero tolerance approach against gender-based violence.

The Institutional Position Statement on Gender-Based Violence was officially launched this morning at a function where the university and government partners made it clear that gender-based violence had no place in higher education institutions.

“We are saying: ‘We don’t have an appetite for gender-based violence. We don’t have tolerance for gender-based violence and as an institution, we are going to deal harshly with all these particular aspects if they try in any way to rear their ugly head within the confines of CPUT, said Vice-Chancellor, Dr Chris Nhlapo.

Deputy Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela commended CPUT for its progressive approach in developing the policy.

“Gender-based violence, including rape and other forms of sexual harassment remains one of the foremost challenges that we have to tackle hand in hand as citizens and as government. We cannot treat gender-based violence with a business as usual attitude.”

He said the scourge of gender-based violence at higher education institutions had been a constant plague that interferes with students’ studies and careers.

“It corrupts the integrity of the education system and erodes the Constitutional rights to equality, dignity and freedom from all forms of violence.”

Thokozani Nyawasha from The Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) said the Higher Education Gender-Based Violence Policy Framework, would ensure that all universities and colleges must have dedicated gender-based violence police. She said this policy was currently undergoing internal processes before its planned release later this year.

“Our hearts bleed when we witness an increase in gender-based violence in institutions of higher learning. We, however, find solace in what we are witnessing today. This day shows that it is time to act and not to talk. While many universities and TVET colleges still do not have any policies on gender-based violence CPUT has demonstrated leadership”.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT’s Institutional Gender-Based Violence Position Statement will officially be launched today (August 16).

Students and staff have been invited to attend the event, which will be held at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville campus between 10 am and 2 pm.

The host of speakers will include Buti Manamela: Deputy Minister of Higher Education & Training and Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Country Director: UN Women.

In addition to the speakers the CPUT Choir, the CPUT Drama Group and other groups will perform.

“According to research findings by the SA Medical Research Council, one woman is killed by her intimate partner every eight hours, the highest incidence in the world,” said Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit.

“The statement provides the university’s position and response to gender-based violence at the institution, highlighting the safety of students and staff, especially survivors of gender-based violence. It also intends to take a serious stance against alleged perpetrators.”

She said the Men’s Forum aims to involve men in being part of the solution in the fight against gender-based violence.

“We’ve already started a campaign, called the Amajitas Men’s Campaign, where a number of discussions amongst and about men took place and some male students and staff have already joined the forum.”

The men will read a pledge against gender-based violence during today’s function.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.