A group photo of various stakeholders after the briefing at 2Ten Hotel, Sibasa
On Wednesday, 04 December 2024, the University of Venda (UNIVEN)’s Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with the University of Pretoria, North-West University, the National Research Foundation, Vhembe District Municipality, DC Academy, ISA Mathivha Foundation, South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme, hosted the Ubuntu Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness event. The GBV Awareness event which was preceded by a walk from 2Ten Hotel to Makwarela Stadium was held at Makwarela Stadium under the theme ‘GBV is a Sickness: Our Society Needs Help’. This GBV Awareness event brought together various stakeholders to raise awareness and discuss strategies for addressing GBV in South Africa.
In her opening address, UNIVEN’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof Euce-bious Lekalakala-Mokgele, highlighted the alarming statistic that female homicides in South Africa are six times higher than the global average. She emphasised that this event was organised as part of the university’s commitment to combatting GBV. “We are here to develop strategies to end Gen-der-Based Violence,” she said. “This campaign aims to reduce the alarming number of GBV cases. We must unite in this fight until there is peace in our country.”
Prof Fhumulani Mavis Mulaudzi, Leader of the Ubuntu Community Model of Nursing, explained the purpose behind the event. She stressed that the goal was not only to raise awareness about GBV but also to address the broader issues of inequality and violations of human rights. “Ubuntu advocates for people to know their rights,” she said, noting that GBV affects not only women but also men and children—many of whom do not report their experiences.
Although recent statistics indicate that women and children are disproportionately affected, Prof Mulaudzi emphasised that the movement supports all victims, regardless of gender. “We don’t ad-vocate only for women and children, but for all those whose rights are being violated,” she stated. She called for all sectors of society, including churches, traditional leaders, educational institutions, and the police, to join the fight against GBV through awareness campaigns that educate commu-nities on the issue.
The event also featured messages of support from a wide range of participants. Dr Gopolang Gause from North-West University, Eddie van der Walt, SAPS District Commissioner, and Ms Dimakatso Masenya from DC Academy were among those who addressed the gathering. Other speakers included Pastor Tshisamphiri Ramahala, representing churches and religious organisations; Dr Nkhangweleni Mufunwaini, representing Munna Ndi Nnyi; Agness Thomoli from the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme; Mrs Ruth Mutsila, who shared her personal experience as a GBV survivor; Ms Tinyiko Baloyi from the University of Pretoria; ; Mr Rudzani Mamphweli spoke on behalf of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurial Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation; and Prof Ntsieni Mashau, who presided over the declaration. Representing Traditional leaders, Khosi Vho Maraganedzha, delivered a message of support.
The Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municip
ality, Cllr Freda Nkondo, expressed the municipali-ty’s full support for the initiative. She acknowledged that this event was particularly timely, given the national efforts to end GBV and femicide. “We need all stakeholders to come together to eradicate GBV,” she said, urging attendees to “break the silence” and protect victims from their perpetrators.
During the briefing at 2Ten, Prof Tshilidzi Mulaudzi, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sci-ences at UNIVEN (on the left photo above), emphasised that UNIVEN is not merely an academic institution but a vibrant university community deeply rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu (Vhuthu), which means “I am because you are.” This powerful concept highlights our interconnect-edness and underscores that our success is collective, not individual. When one of us prospers, we all prosper; when challenges arise, we face them together. In Tshivenda, we say, “Muthu ndi muthu nga vhanwe vhathu,” which means “A person is a person through other people.” As a university, we recognise that we cannot combat the scourge of GBV alone; we must tackle it together as a united community.
Prof Lufuno Makhado, the Ubuntu GBV Awareness Event Organising Committee Chairperson and Professor in the Department of Public Health (on the right photo above), gave a vote of thanks.
Participants during the declaration that they will end gender-based violence in the district, province, country and globally
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