‘Tertiary institutions must unite against GBV’

GENDER-based violence is prevalent in South Africa and the recent attacks on women at institutions of higher learning have sent shock waves around the country.

In August, University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana was raped and killed and her body dumped in Khayelitsha, outside Cape Town.

Last month, the Western Cape High Court handed Luyanda Botha, a post office employee, three life terms for Mrwetyana’s murder.

In September, University of KwaZulu-Natal student Sinethemba Ndlovu was stabbed and killed, allegedly by a man who demanded to have sex with her.

A suspect, Buhlebodwa Zakahle Mntungwa, is in jail for Ndlovu’s murder.

Last week, 21-year-old Precious Ramabulana, a student at the Capricorn TVET College in Limpopo, was stabbed 52 times and died in her rented room.

It is alleged that Aubrey Manaka entered through her window and stole her belongings before killing her.

Yesterday, Manaka appeared in court and will be back in the dock next month.

“The common factor here is attacks on young female students. We know about Precious, Uyinene and Sinethemba. How many other acts of violence remain beyond public knowledge and outrage?” said Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, chief executive of Higher Health SA.

“We urge the arms of justice to work tirelessly until the perpetrators are found and adequately punished.”

Ahluwalia said while higher education institutions are places of learning, they are also microcosms of society in general.

“Universities and colleges are a microcosm of the broader society, and sexist and patriarchal attitudes that are at the core of GBV also reflect within the higher education sector. The solutions lie in standing together and working in unity with everyone that is part of our sector.”

He said from a young age, young people are exposed to violence and this makes it seem normal to them.

“Most of our students come from backgrounds where they have been abused at home or have seen a lot of abuse in the community. They are also now in an environment with immense freedom and not guardians. They are exposed to a lot of alcohol and drugs and they also want to experiment with intercourse,” he said.

Ahluwalia said higher education institutions can help curb gender-based violence by way of induction programmes for students, particularly new intakes, to help them understand and mitigate risks and know where to access help if needed.

He said peer-to-peer and student leadership structures need to be the first line of response to incidents and to drive ongoing student-led campaigns to change attitudes and create circles of support.