KOMANI STUDENTS UNITE TO CONFRONT THE SCOURGE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

In a powerful demonstration of unity and social awareness, Walter Sisulu University’s Komani Campus students gathered in the Great Hall at the Whittlesea Site for a campaign led by the Department of Student Affairs to address one of society’s most devastating and persistent crises — gender-based violence (GBV).

The event, themed around collective responsibility and active citizenship, sought to raise awareness, promote behavioural change, and inspire a culture of accountability within the student community.

Opening the session, Sister Xolisiwe Hlomendlini, affectionately known across campus as Sister X, delivered a heartfelt message of hope and action.

“Let’s make our campus a gender-based violence-free zone,” she urged. “Let’s work together and not stay quiet about GBV. Let us cultivate a culture of empathy and understanding for one another. Together, we can make a difference if we unite and stand against GBV.”

Her call was echoed by Ms Nomathansanqa Daweti, Senior Student Counsellor at Komani Campus, who stressed the importance of vigilance, collective awareness, and the courage to speak out. “Report it and do not stand by in silence,” she appealed. “Pay attention to what’s happening around you and stay alert.”

Daweti underscored the need for behavioural change and encouraged students to make conscious decisions about their personal safety and the company they keep. “Being mindful and cautious,” she noted, “can prevent situations that place one in harm’s way.”

The programme also featured a student GBV champion, who shared a candid reflection on how harmful choices and peer influences can lead to dangerous or regrettable outcomes.

“Male students should not feel entitled to women’s bodies, and female students should not degrade themselves through substance abuse,” he cautioned. “Take care of yourselves — no fleeting moment is worth your safety or your future.”

The session provided a safe space for students to share personal experiences and testimonies, both from survivors and individuals who had previously perpetuated abusive behaviour. These heartfelt stories revealed how deeply GBV impacts campus life and underscored the need for open dialogue and proactive support systems.

“Those things done in anger will affect you for the rest of your life,” one student admitted. “Small issues can easily escalate into larger problems.”

In promoting accountability and accessible reporting, students were reminded about the ‘My Safe Space’ mobile application — an innovative safety tool available to WSU students. The app enables anonymous reporting of GBV-related incidents, provides access to immediate assistance, and functions as a panic button during emergencies or security threats.

The event closed with a collective pledge to break the silence, support survivors, and use available institutional tools to combat GBV on campus.

By Buhle Manzi