Vice-chancellor praises Rhodes anti-rape activists
“We are all wounded healers,” said Dean of Grahamstown Andrew Hunter during a ceremony that sought to affirm the Rhodes University community, in particular recognising Vice Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela’s leadership role during campus protests last year against fees hikes and earlier this year against rape culture.
Hunter introduced the Dean’s Award this year and Mabizela is the first recipient on the basis of his personal example “and his values-based, ethical leadership”.
He spoke about the need to rebuild relationships of trust and openness both in the University and the community, to create a place of belonging, “and a community of discovery, life, joy and hope”.
The award was given during a service on Friday 1 July.
“We wish to acknowledge and affirm all at the university – the Vice Chancellor, university leadership, academic staff, students, workers – who are deeply engaged in what has been happening, who carry the burdens of the institution, and who continue to share in the pain and struggle of these times,” Hunter said.
In accepting the award on behalf of the “many wonderful women and men in our university who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve our community and humankind”, Mabizela praised Rhodes University students for their courage in bringing sexual violence to the national consciousness.
He was also scathing in his criticism of tendencies to polarise communities.
“Reason, rationality and logic have given way to intolerance, groupthink, anti-in- tellectualism, silencing, blind radicalism, close-mindedness, and demagoguery,” he said.
Mabizela said that during the period of the anti-rape protests on the campus, several students had related to him their experiences of being violated by older relatives.
“Many young people in our society carry with them deep wounds that need to be properly washed and dressed so that healing may happen...
“Rape and sexual violence cut across all societal faultlines,” Mabizela said.
“I urge all parents to create time and space to discuss the issues of rape and sexual violence with their children.
“I accept this award on behalf of the millions in our society who have been sexually violated. We owe it to them that we rid our society of the pernicious scourge of sexual violence.”