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27

M U T

S P I R I T

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J A N U A R Y - M A R C H 2 0 2 0

The first campaign event, which was held at MUT’s

Anniversary Lane on the main campus between 12h00

and 13h00, focused on filling the knowledge gap on

GBV, reporting cases to the police, and identifying

what kind of evidence would be required from the

person reporting. The event, which was themed “You

are not forgotten”, saw Anniversary Lane transformed

into a memorial lane with pictures of victims of GBV on

either side of the walkway.

The second session, themed “In her shoes”, required

participants to wear women’s shoes or bring a pair.

This session, held on Thursday, 20 February, took

place at the Natural Sciences Campus on account

of bad weather conditions making it impossible to

use Anniversary Lane. Facilitated by MUT Events

Coordinator, Jade Mthiyane, the session created a

platform for staff and students to discuss how GBV

impacts their lives, while others opened up about

their experience of surviving GBV. To get the audience

talking, Mthiyane carefully detailed various incidences

and invited a panel of speakers to comment on cases

as a starting point for discussions. Students and staff

were quick to seize the opportunity and talk about the

issues they face.

“We wanted to create a space where staff and

students felt comfortable to talk about these issues

without fear of being judged. We are also cognizant of

the fact that many of our students come from homes

where discussions about abuse, and sexual abuse in

particular, are not encouraged,” said Mthiyane. “It

was fulfilling to see how participants embraced the

opportunity we have created and were participating

fully. The fact that we had a diversity of panellists who

have extensive experience in various sections of GBV

made the discussions richer.”

The third session was devoted to tackling GBV from

the perspective of members of the LGBTQI (Lesbian,

Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning,

and Intersex) community. For this session, members

of the LGBQTI shared their struggles with an audience

that filled up the Anniversary Lane on Thursday, 27

February.

Leticia Sishi, Miss Gay Durban, and a Durban

University of Technology Public Relations student,

emphasised the importance of having the correct

knowledge about the LGBTQI community. Sishi also

highlighted some of the aggressive actions directed

at LGBTQI people: “You get killed for who and what

you are. GBV has been with us for a long time. But it’s

getting worse.” Sishi, a transgender woman, once had

a gun pointed at her because of her sexuality. Sishi

explained that members of the LGBTQI community do

not owe anyone an explanation. “All you need from

other people is respect,” she said.

After all this internal campaigning, it was now time

to take the “Black Thursday against GBV” campaign

outside MUT to the streets of Umlazi Township. This

was done through a silent protest on Thursday, 5

March. MUT students in all-black attire and tape over

their mouths, in solidarity with the eight out of nine

victims of abuse who are unable to report their cases,

took the campaign to the traffic lights in Umlazi’s V

Section and Megacity. The campaign capitalised

on the lunch hour traffic, raising awareness among

passing motorists.

“The war against GBV is far from over. The statistics

on reported cases are scary,” said Mkhize. “The

University will continue to raise awareness and do its

part in fighting the scourge.”

“Universities as knowledge

leaders in our society have an

important role to play in raising

awareness and equipping

staff and students with the

necessary information to bring

GBV perpetrators to book.”

Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director:

Marketing and Communications

MUT Clinic’s Cebi Nkosi addressing students at the Faculty of

Natural Sciences