UKZN Unites Against GBV Through Awareness Walk and Pledge Campaign
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted an impactful Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Walk, bringing together students, staff and various stakeholders in a united stand against the scourge.
The campaign was organised by the Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA) Residence Life Team on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus, supported by the Human Resources Development: GBV Office.
The event was led by the Residence Life Co-ordinator for the Pietermaritzburg campus Ms Nonjabulo Ntombela, in partnership with the HRD: GBV Office under the leadership of Dr Manoshni Perumal, Director: Human Resources Development, and Ms Rebotile Letsoalo, GBV Manager. The programme formed part of the University’s ongoing commitment to creating safer and more supportive spaces for students within residences and across campus.
Head of DSRA, Mr Mdukhy Mabaso, officially opened the event and warmly welcomed all guests and stakeholders. In his opening remarks, Mabaso emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing and preventing GBV within Higher Education Institutions and society at large.
The Interim Director of DSRA, Ms Sisana Machi, addressed the audience, encouraging students and staff to work together in reducing GBV cases across campuses. Machi urged students to refrain from engaging in any form of violence and highlighted the importance of consent and respect in all relationships, saying: mabeyifuna abayicele.
GBV Manager Ms Rebotile Letsoalo, provided an overview of the realities of GBV within university spaces and surrounding communities and encouraged students to reject all forms of GBV, emphasising the importance of reporting incidents to ensure appropriate support and intervention.
The University Proctor, Mr Daniel Selamolela, spoke about the consequences of committing GBV-related offences. Selamolela warned students that involvement in GBV could result in serious disciplinary and legal action, including possible exclusion from the University.
The event was also supported by representatives from the South African Police Service, the Thuthuzela Care Centre, and Lifeline, who shared valuable insights into the GBV cases they had encountered and the support services available to victims and survivors.
Following the formal programme, students and staff participated in a symbolic awareness walk around campus. During the walk, participants observed moments of silence in honour of GBV victims. A special dedication was made to Ms Simphiwe Zinhle Mchunu, a UKZN student who died in 2025, just weeks before graduating as an educator. The tribute served as a painful reminder of the devastating impact of GBV and the urgent need for continued action.
The programme also featured moving poetry performances by students, who used their voices and creativity to raise awareness about the emotional and social impact of GBV.
At the conclusion of the walk, students and staff gathered around a pledge board leaving their fingerprints and a commitment not to participate in any form of violence or abuse.
Reflecting on the success and significance of the event, Ntombela said: “This was not just about raising awareness for one day or simply ticking a programme off the list, but rather about building long-term change and ensuring that every student feels safe and supported within the University environment, especially in residences, where we have a mandate to create homes away from home. Students should always feel at home and protected.”
The campaign was described as a meaningful and beautiful event that demonstrated unity, compassion, and a shared commitment towards ending gender-based violence and fostering a safer university community for all.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photographs: Supplied
