Gender Equity Unit • Imbewu • Issue 6

IMBEWU Gender Equity Unit Student Newsletter Issue 6 | June 2014

20 Years of Human Rights Advocacy

Editorial The year 2014 has started on an unsettling note. The passing of the controversial anti-gay law in Uganda has sparked a major furore worldwide. The east African country has featured prominently in international headlines recently – and rightly so – which seems to avert us from the reality that Uganda is in fact one of thirty eight countries on this continent in which homosexuality is illegal. Thirty eight.

And as awful as this law is, the magnitude of it should not blind us to the multiple micro-aggressions that are committed against the LGBTI community on a daily basis, even in countries with liberal constitutions like ours. We recently celebrated at the Cape Town Gay Pride march, where the theme was “Marching For Those Who Can’t”. Yet, as Sheldon Michaels argues, our country’s leadership has said nothing of the gross violation of human rights that has been legalised by our neighbours. This is concerning.

To add salt to the wound, our government has instead gone and approved an NGO that will be paying girls and women for remaining virgins. I wonder how the women in parliament, with all the freedoms that feminism has won for them, could endorse a project that reinforces restrictive old gender norms that punish women for being sexual beings? Kim Abrahams furthers the discussion on how women are socially punished for expressing their sexuality. On the other hand, acclaimed theatre director Thando Doni explores the complexities of masculinity in his new production Passage, which Limpho Makapela along with other GEU volunteers attended.

On a more optimistic note, South Africa had its fifth national democratic election since 1994. We have been subjected to the usual promises in campaign speeches that never seem to come true. With new parties like E.F.F. and Agang, one hopes to see real change. Andrea Zimri takes us through what has informed her decision to make that all-important X. And on the subject of change, Wendell Barlow tells us of the change he hopes to see on this campus, in the hopes that students living with disabilities will be more included.

The poetic pieces we feature by Qiqa Nkomo, Xolisa Kona and Andrea Zimri, offer us rich portrayals of the very different challenges facing contemporary youth, while my reflective piece on my time as a volunteer at the Gender Equity Unit asks an interesting question about the future self.

Thozama Mabusela

Featured Student Articles Voting, a catch twenty-two

Page 1

Self-worth is not the clothes I wear

Page 4

Why is our government failing the women?

Love at First Pride

Page 5 Page 7

I now pronounce you an abomination Page 11 Protest against abduction of Nigerian school girls

Page 11

Creative Writing The Born Frees

Page 3

That Gay Guy

Page 9

Reflective Pieces Mentoring the future

Page 2

EduDrama performs Reclaiming the P-word

Page 4

Career Expo 2014

Page 8

‘Passage’

Page 13

G3Y South Africa

Page 16

Food security and act of generosity

Page 17

First Semester Orientation 2014

Page 19

Community Engagement Young women taking responsibility for community’s future

Page 16

Cape Town Pride 2014

Page 10

HumaNature visits Worcester

Page 12

Political round Table Discussion

Page 15

Cecil Pride

Page 17

Voting, a catch twenty-two The 2014 national elections

tion to vote in South Africa is so

selfless devotion to the people of

have come and gone. For those

deeply rooted in the struggle for

South Africa. Many icons of the

who have registered and voted,

freedom

Apartheid

struggle like former Chancellor of

this signified an occasion to ex-

years; the importance of voting

the UWC, Desmond Tutu, found

ercise the basic right to freedom

seems to be lost to the youth. This

themselves hunched over tables fir-

- voting in a democratic elec-

makes it easy to overlook our role,

ing up the ‘fighters’ of our right to

tion. The general consensus was

as the future of this country, and

freedom, making UWC a historic

that people already knew which

there may be a decline regarding

reference point. Thus, we, as stu-

party would get their ink-

the opportunity to take responsibil-

dents, are surrounded by reminders

crossed mark of support on the

ity for what happens moving for-

of what a ‘good' government should

national ballot. However, for

ward.

aspire to be and we should use it as

some the 'right' choice seemed

For students of the University of

inspiration to vote

during

the

The tendency not to vote has be-

elusive.

Electorate

come ever popular in recent times,

Commission (IEC) prepared it-

with citizens complaining about

self for a big turnout during this

bad service delivery, increased pov-

year’s

record-

erty and lack of access to basic

breaking 25.3 million registered

things like water, electricity and

voters. This signals a positive

housing. Looking back at the last

The

Independent

election,

a

outlook on the effectiveness of

the Western Cape (UWC) this

two decades, the overall improve-

the elections, and although the

ought to be a slightly easier task,

ments made by government to the

hype of the 1994 elections may

since it is well-known that UWC

country

not be surpassed, the signifi-

was a hub for peace talks during

housing, more households with run-

cance of it may be equalled.

the apartheid era. The university

ning water and electricity, increased

With approximately 73% of

grounds saw icons of the apartheid

economic activity, etc.

South Africans under the age of

era who mobilised youth to come

However, warning signs are becom-

39, the youth seemed to be a

together to fight for the freedom of

ing apparent, as a decrease in ser-

powerful player. If only we

this country. Strategic meetings,

vice delivery, a 24.1% unemploy-

knew we have power. The

many organised protest and talks

ment rate and plummeting foreign

young generation tend to see

took place in lecture venues on

investments, have people at worry’s

politics as something meant for

campus.. Hushed tones spoke of a

end. People are seeking

are

visible:

subsidised

their parents. Since the motivaPAGE 1

stability and reassurance, and are looking to govern-

is that we are caught between a rock, a very hard

ment to provide this. And while people vote for dif-

place and a cliff.

ferent reasons, each reason comes from voters' need

Consequently, we need to scrutinise the pre-

for improvement in their surroundings. Whether it is

election promises made by parties and officials,

directed at themselves, their households, community

and find campaigns that can work for not only to-

or environment, the desire for change is the driving

day or tomorrow, but in the future. And while

force behind many votes placed. When government

fighting is an option, the power of the ballot is

fails to deliver, people become discouraged and lose

greater. Vote for your beliefs, and use your power

confidence in the ability of government to act as pro-

to set into action the change you hope for.

vider.

The question now arises: who do we vote for to pro-

by Andrea Zimri

vide for our basic needs? The catch twenty-two

Mentoring the Future It was that time of the year again when the Mentoring Programme went on their annual Mentoring camp.

The camp which took place from the 30th of June up until the 2nd of May in Franschoek aimed at educating young learners on various aspects of their development. Amongst other developmental activities the learners were educated on children’s rights, safety and security and masculinity.

During the three days of camping both the

Mentors enjoying the morning

mentees and mentors engaged in some fun learning activities which included hiking through the forest.

In spending some quality bonding time together the group engaged in rock-skipping as a means to relax and connecting with nature.

All-in-all the camp was the setting where both mentees and mentors could express themselves freely and learn and grow together.

by Mentoring Programme

Connecting

Hiking and exploring nature

PAGE 2

The Born Frees Our minds were liberal from birth We crawled with an unexpected confidence Blinded by the beautiful morning mist of our constitution Infatuated by the sweet aroma of equality We took our first step as South African citizens Horrified by our nation's past yet never making reference to it For we were the born the frees Unaware of oppression's paralyzing taste, unlike our parents The thought of freedom would never intoxicate us As we strolled in harmony not fazed by colour Known as the famous future leaders For we were the born frees All grown up, we now saw the light Waking up from dreamland to our reality This reality petrified us into a state of numbness 'What you didn't know?

Equality only exists on paper!'

Shocked and confused; we sought for justice For we were the born frees Now deemed as the lost generation We sued society for defamation of character Reclaiming our title as tomorrow's leaders No longer naive and immature For we were the born frees You will love us for our ambition Like sponges we have come to absorb Absorb this thing called knowledge We come bearing gifts of change You just need to equip us with skills Yes we are your first years Who have realized the limitations of their freedom For we are not born frees We just missed a chapter in our history So don't judge our liberated thinking Embrace the revolution that we come with We are only looking to enforce a new mind-set

by Qiqa Nkomo

PAGE 3

Self-worth is not the clothes I wear Fashion, oh what a beautiful thing. So innocent and harmless. So liberating and for some women often the only way to have their femininity shout loud and proud. I am female. I am strong. I am she. But if fashion or clothes is so empowering why do some women fear for their lives to leave their homes in shorts, short skirts or short dresses? Do we not live in a society where women are allowed to express themselves or their womanliness even in the shortest of items?

Well, yes we are but it has been extremely challenging to leave ones home in shorts or short skirts because women wearing these types of clothing have been victimized and called all types of names by men and even other women. As a female student myself, I like to keep up with the latest trends and sometimes I like to wear cropped tops and shorts to campus as it is comfortable and easy to wear. But wearing these types of clothing in my community or on public transport seems to be just an invitation for men to make sexual comments about me, to scream out “slut” and to degrade me as a young woman.

It is this type of verbal abuse that makes me fearful of wearing things that make me feel comfortable. I am a victim of verbal abuse by some men who simply do not get that I wear shorts for comfort, not to put myself on display. For some women it does not stop at verbal abuse; some women actually get raped or beaten because of the clothes they wear It is worrisome that many people still say or think “she deserves it”,” she has no self-respect”, “what was she thinking wearing something so short”, “she asked for it”.

Men say they respect women who respect themselves but when has self-respect ever been measured in clothes? Surely, women should be able to wear whatever they like. It is their bodies after all.

by Kim Abrahams

EduDrama performs Reclaiming the P-word On Thursday, 8th of May 2014, EduDrama performed its critically acclaimed piece, Reclaiming the P-word, for UWC staff and students at the Centre for the Performing Arts.

The entirely new cast of young black women students ‘wowed’ the crowd with their exceptional expression and interpretation of a piece that speaks out against the negative labels that society put on their bodies.

The group is currently preparing for their latest performance ‘Sister… Sister… Self!’ at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

by Glenton Matthyse

PAGE 4

Why is our government failing the women?

that seek to curb the AIDS epidemic too; the

A Limpopo man has started an NGO that will pay

sial in its reductive appropriation of a cultural

girls and women for remaining virgins. Rabelani

practice rich in history, it does not reward men

Ramali, a father of five, has founded the South Af-

for denying themselves a fundamental part of

rican Virgin Girls Awards, which will award cash

being human. It does not add to centuries of sex-

prizes of up to R100 000 as well as bronze, silver

ist socialisation that teaches men that exercising

and gold medals to women who can be medically

agency of their sexuality somehow makes them

proved to have abstained from sexual intercourse.

less respectable. And by approving an NGO like

Ramali claims that his initiative is in the interests

Ramali’s, this is what the South African govern-

of alleviating the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the

ment is doing.

drive to get men medically circumcised is one that comes to mind. And while itself controver-

country. With that said, the NGO has been approved by both the departments of Health and Social Development, and it is the South African government’s agreement to this that I find troubling.

South Africa, as we often hear, has one of the most liberal constitutions in the world. We have some of the most gender-equitable policies and indeed, we are one of the few countries with such an impressive female presence in parliament. Yet, our government, meant to be guided by this wonderful document, sees it fit to authorise a structure that discriminates against girls and women. Now, Ramali initiating something in a bid to fight this disease is noble. However, for the government to support an NGO that promotes the suppression of women’s sexuality is unacceptable.

Do we need to mention that we still live in a country in which virgins are targeted for rape by those who still believe that sex with a virgin

The impression that this gives is that it is the ram-

cures AIDS? Furthermore, we know all too well

pant sexuality of women that needs to be con-

that it is girls and women who are targeted for

tained to curtail the spread of this disease. Of

rape and sexual abuse far more than boys and

course, there are some male-centred interventions

men. So not being a virgin, for an overwhelming PAGE 5

“We still live in a country in which virgins are targeted for rape by those who still believe that sex with a virgin cures AIDS”

EduDrama prepares for the National Arts Festival

number of women, was not something of their own choosing. It was coerced. The departments of Health and Social Development must surely be aware of the statistics that attest to this. How sensitive is it then to sanction a structure that further marginalises women for crimes that have been committed upon them?

What concerns me most about this is that it assigns values on the personhood of girls and wom-

“The programme, comprised only of young black women, focusses on breaking the silence regarding the experiences of black women” - Limpho Makapela

en for something they are not doing without providing any alternatives for what they could be doing. Would it not be more sensible to award girls for academic excellence or entrepreneurial initiative or sporting ability? Should we not rather present them with alternate forms of achievement so they may know that sex is not the only pastime available to them? Even besides the miscalculation in logic here (if boys are offered no incentives for abstaining, this will unlikely make any real difference), I struggle to see how this moves us any closer to embodying the ideals that are espoused in our wonderful constitution.

by Thozama Mabusela Volunteers in the programme doing theatre games

PAGE 6

Love at First

Unit, my second home. I would

though, I had fellow family

Pride

get lost in the discussions my

members who shared the same

family would have concerning

experience.

Love is blind, love is bliss, and

the parade and the fair of Cape

I must say, it was A-MA-ZING!

love is the thing on MY list…

Town Pride.. The images I built

The energy I fed off from others

You are probably wondering

in my head were of bright col-

marching in the name of

where am I going with this or

ours and art expressed in various

human rights and social justice

you probably know where I am

ways. My dear mommy shared

of the LGBTI+ community was

going with this.

some photos of his experience

both overwhelming and entic-

with Pride; over the past five

ing. The colours were beyond

1st of March marks the day I fell in love all over again…and

years he has attended both the

the

what I imagined; the diversity of

again…and again…and again… all in one day! Kind of sounds like multiple orgasms (thinking out loud).

I, Limpho Makapela, experienced my first Cape Town Gay PRIDE March!

You wonder why it is that I am making such a big deal out of it?

Well, because I make everything a big deal, trust me! I celebrate what is seemingly insignificant

parade and the fair. So that

individuals

means my

first time was his

identity was breathtaking. Tra-

sixth. And what better way to ex-

ditionally, Pride would start off

perience

something new than

with a march where all organi-

with an old timer. (Reading this

sations and individuals support-

I came to know about Pride in

out loud kind of sounds wrong,

ing

my early stages as a volunteer as

but hey, you get the picture). I

LGBTI+ community would pa-

a volunteer at the Gender Equity

was not the only first timer,

rade on the streets of Cape

for five minutes, and as hard as you may try, you will never get me out of that zone. But I digress…

and

expressing

belonging

to

their

the

PAGE 7

Town. Bright and colourful they declare “Hey! I do not

the point that I was convinced that I couldn’t handle

conform. Just like you I am a human they declare

it. But with my family I managed to pull through the

“Hey! I do not conform. I am a human being and I am

night.

entitled to the same rights and respect afforded to you

The unfortunate thing, as pointed out to me through-

in this country.” Through colour, music and their voic-

out the fair, was the lack of accessibility. It seems that

es, they speak against the discrimination and the viola-

certain people were not able to enter or be part of the

tion of their humanity. This parade was art on the

fair. Also, I have learnt that Pride was once family-

move. The fair was just as amazing and entertaining.

orientated, but over the years it has become less and

My highlights were performances by Scary Mary,

less of that. A previous theme for Cape Town Pride

whose covers of Super Bass by Nicki Minaj and

was “Uniting the Cultures of Cape Town”, but this

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, were both hilarious

year that theme was not recognised at all. This is a

and W.O.W! And the winning performance by this

concern. It would appear that Cape Town Pride might

year’s Miss Cape Town Pride, Manila Von Teez was

just lose its meaning, its purpose and the message we

amazing to relive. I even had the pleasure of attending

are trying to get across. Hopefully, this will be

clubs where I danced my butt off with my family and

brought to the organisers’ attention and things will be

some strangers (who I realised were very much hands-

sorted from there.

on around assets they shouldn’t be having their hands on!). The immense heat experienced in dark rooms, with moving bodies under fluorescent lights was intoxicating to the the point that I was convinced that I

I had a fabulous day. And I am already planning for how I am going to go about next year’s Pride!

by Limpho Makapela

couldn’t handle it. But with

Career Expo 2014

Levert Louw and Ethan van Rooi interacting with prospective students

Prospective students eager to learn more about the GEU’s programmes

PAGE 8

That Gay Guy Well excuse me, I wanna say something It has been on my mind for some time.

I have a problem…

I’m not sure if it’s with you or what you say.

I have a problem Yes with the injustice but okay.

I have a problem with the roles you have given me, with the stereotype and shit.

Yes I am GAY Faggot, moffie, stabane!

Yes baby I am all that and more.

And I think its high time that those names You “insult” me with know who daddy is And yes I gave birth to them through my you know what!

And it’s time for you to kiss it.

I have a problem Not with you but with what you say, thinking that it’s okay.

Why can’t I be your friend?

Why do I have to be your “Gay Friend”?

Whenever you talk about me, Whenever you introduce me You say, “This is my gay friend.”

Why can’t I just be your friend my “straight friend”?

Hey maybe having a gay friend has become some sort of an achievement.

Don’t come to me saying you want a gay friend I am no an accessory, I am an actual human being.

This might come as a surprise to you, I actually have a brain.

Do not come to me with that or you will find out the hard way That pink is actually not my favourite colour.

What about those “flaunting your gayness” remarks?

It bothers me because I don’t remember telling you to tone down your straightness.

You ask me to be less of myself for you, and baby I refuse Because it is not me who has a problem, but you.

I am not asking for you acceptance I am asking you to see ME as I am And not as “that gay guy.”

by Xolisa Kona

PAGE 9

CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2014

Volunteers of LoudEnuf showing their excitement for Cape Town Pride march and celebrations.

Love yourself for who you are—Just as you are!

GEU’s Ms Liberty Banks gives a royal wave.

Pride supporters show off their colourful float.

PAGE 10

Protest against abduction of Nigerian school girls

Mary Hames and Prof. Shirly Walters shares a moment

I now pronounce you an abomination The 24th of Feburary 2014 the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni singed the Anti- Homosexuality act previously coined by the media as the “Kill the Gays Bill” because of the original death penalty clause.

“Fortunately” the death penalty has been replaced by a lighter sentence of life imprisonment, and up to 14 years for anyone, media, organisations or nongovernmental organisations that supports the LGBT community.

The original “Kill the Gays Bill” was passed the 20th of December 2013 but was dropped due to the mass up rise of other countries who found it completely barbaric – countries such as America and the United Kingdom.

The bill sent shock waves throughout the world. In Kenya demonstrations were held to protest for the rights of fellow African brothers and sisters, the

On 14 April 2014 Boko Haram abducted almost 300 school girls from their school in Chibok, in northern Nigeria. The Gender Equity Unit initiated a solidarity protest at the University of the Western Cape for the release of the young girls. A petition was signed by the campus community and forwarded to various human rights structures in South Africa, the United Nations and the continent.

activists have tried to pressure Ugandan President Yoweri into not singing the bill, without prevail – but the fact that they have tried to fight should send the rest of Africa a message that we’re all in this together.

My question then comes “Why has South Africa done nothing about this?”. As a homosexual myself, I was quite surprised that there has been no uprise from our side, and this affects us as well. Having most recently come from a background of oppression of monitories one would think that South Africa would have been the first, and the ‘loudest’ of the African countries to try and put an end to this madness.

Yet Uganda received nothing but silence from the most “globalised” part of Africa. Could be that homosexuality is a touchy subject in terms of tradition? During Apartheid we fought for equality. A certain biblical interpretation of homosexuality is often used to defend homophobia. This I would think is making people reluctant to

say anything because they feel as though it’s something beyond their control. It’s also just a way of justifying their own prejudice against homosexuality. That sort of mentality has been around for ages, however with post modernism, and liberal views what would the excuse be then now?

Has the Ugandan bill sent fear into the hearts of the South African homosexual community. Are we so privileged by our rights that we needn’t bother with those who do not have any? Pride has come and gone, and it was celebrated in the most flamboyant way. Has the privilege to be who we are in South Africa spoiled us? I think it has.

We’ve now moved away from homosexuality as being a community problem, but instead an individual problem. We’re now so concentrated on ourselves, our careers, our Sunday luncheons at the waterfront – that even a lesbian rape in Langa doesn’t affect our hangover salad because it doesn’t affect me personally, why should I be invested.

by Sheldon Micheals

PAGE 11

HumaNature visits the Deaf and Blind Community of Worcester

Volunteers in the HumaNature Programme pledge solidarity to persons with disability.

Tadoma communication A blind person being creative

technique

Curious about archaeology

Volunteers arrive at the Institute for the blind

PAGE 12

“Passage” The Baxter Theatre, in collaboration with the

Passage sought to represent but some of the daily

Magnet Theatre, hosted a production that speaks

challenges men face in today’s society. The play

about the notion of masculinity in present-day

strongly emphasised that men indeed encounter

South Africa. On Friday 14 March 2014, The

multiple struggles fulfilling the expectations that

Gender Equity Unit volunteers of the Mentoring

come with the title of being a man, as well as find-

Programme were afforded the opportunity to

ing their niche within their communities. The pro-

view this production as part of their educational

duction underlined the fact that it is often the strug-

excursion.

gles that men experience that result in the domestic

Passage is a production that explores what is defined as being a man in the context of South Africa, a country which is richly diverse in religion and ethnicity. This production was directed by

violence and abuse that some men perpetrate against women and children. When certain men feel that they have lost a sense of power and authority, often the only way they can reclaim it is by forcing it

Thando Doni, a

upon the most vul-

graduate

the

nerable place they

Training

can - home. So the

Magnet

of

He

play makes a con-

has performed ex-

certed attempt at

tensively in pro-

understanding

ductions

psychology of dam-

Programme.

such as

The Grave, Trojan

the

aged masculinities.

Horse Story, and Looking Inside which was com-

Issues such as circumcision, identity, relationships,

missioned by the Human Rights Media Centre. He

sexual orientation and sex itself were beautifully

has done national tours of Inxeba lomphilisi and

portrayed in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa by

Ingcwaba lendoda lise cankwe ndlela, in Nicola

five new talents on the Cape Town stage: Richard

Elliott’s Proximity, Loss and Having, and has per-

Tafane, Aphiwe Menziwa, Jeoffrey Makobela,

formed at the Bushfire Festival in Swaziland. He

Nicholas Campbell and Daniel Richards. This pro-

was nominated for Best Director in the Zabalaza

duction looks at the passage boys have to take to

Theater Festival in 2011, and in 2012 won for his

finally transition themselves into men in our demo-

production Mhla Salamana. In addition, Thando

cratic society, and how to revamp the image of mas-

Doni is a recipient of the Gordon Institute for Per-

culinity into a more positive one, in a society where

forming and Creative Arts emerging bursaries.

it has been tarnished and distorted considerably.

PAGE 13

Of course, the production is born of the very real

that Thobile does not entirely deny – and therefore,

challenges that ordinary men encounter on a daily

he says, “they tend to avoid me, because they think

basis. One such man is UWC student Thobile

I will think less of their manhood”. This is an inter-

Ncinde*. Having recently been initiated into man-

esting example of how notions of manhood intersect

hood in accordance with his Xhosa cultural practices,

with race and culture. Furthermore, Thobile says

Thobile shared with Imbewu some of the complexities

that his female friends appear to be less comfortable

that he experiences as indoda entsha (a new man).

sharing personal information with him now.

When asked about the traditional attire that he is re-

“Before, they used to talk to me about their boy-

quired to wear, he speaks proudly about what this

friends and stuff. Now, it’s almost like they think

means to him: “It tells a story, a story about courage.

it’s disrespectful to do that… Our conversations

It tells what I’ve been through, what I’ve been

have changed”. It is worth considering that many

taught”. So courage, a virtue that is central to modern

Xhosa women are also brought up to revere this rite

conceptions of masculinity, seems to be a forerunner

of passage. So the change in Thobile’s friends may

of his vision of himself now.

also be a reflection of that.

However, Thobile is quick to point out that this is not

Ultimately, it is clear that manhood is a complex

always how others perceive him. “People towards me

and multi-faceted identity and it is encouraging to

act kind of different, especially other races. He says

note the increase in engagement around it.

that newly initiated Xhosa men are known to be arro-

By Thozama Mabusela and Limpho Makapela

gant towards coloured and white men – an accusation

LoudEnuf pledge solidarity with LGBTI Civil Society organisations in challenging the spread of homophobic laws on the African continent in front of Parliament.

PAGE 14

LGBTI Political Round Table Discussion On Wednesday, 23rd of April, the Gender Equity Unit in collaboration with various civil society organisations hosted an LGBTI Political Round Table Discussion. The discussion sought to hold political parties to account for the protection of the rights of people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.

The event was very well attended which was indicative of a very active civil society and NGO sector.

The discussion was opened by Mary Hames, Director of the Gender Equity Unit (top left) and was facilitated by Marlow Newman-Valentine from NACOSA (top right).

The working group gathers outside the GEU

Lucinda from Sonke Gender Justice shares her views

Attendees listen intuitively

LGBTI panel from Civil Society Orgs.

Glenton from the GEU and Keegan from CGE address LGBTI rights

Panelist from the UDM

Panelist of the Democratic Alliance

Douglas speaks about LGBTI access to healthcare

Beulah from Good Hope MCC

PAGE 15

Lesbian and Gay Youth and G3Y South Africa G3Y, a South African fellowship approached the Gender Equity Unit and offered to reach out to young LGBTi adults and assist them with their struggle with the interpretation of the Bible and its perceived condemnation of homosexuality. The fellowship has regular meetings, conducts Bible study and individuals get the opportunity to share their testimonies. The Fellowship is open to all lesbian and gay-affirming individuals.

LGBTI identifying students after a G3Y teambuilding session

(Disclaimer: The Gender Equity Unit remains committed to all progressive and inclusive ministries and faith-based organisations and does not affirm discrimination and prejudice.)

Young women taking responsibility for a community’s future Young women from the Steenberg Foundation being educated by GEU staff and volunteers on how to educate young people and children in their community to visualise a better community for all.

Having fun whilst doing a ‘skid’

The group applying the facilitation skills which they were educated on

GEU staff and volunteers enjoying the group session

PAGE 16

Food Security an act of Social Justice The year the Food Programme showcases a Human Rights Film Festival (HRFF) on Residence that touches on various matters that affects society, communities as well as the individual. The matters covered, or rather screened, vary from race politics, food security, HRFF at KOVACS

discrimination, disability but to name a few.

This year the Programme hosted the event at Kovacs, Eduardo Dos Santos as well as Cecil Esau. The festival took place in the month of March and was largely dedicated to celebrating and politicising human rights.

In advancing the act of generosity and its implication of creating an

Volunteers doing stock-taking

environment of ‘giving’, the programme requested that each attendee bring along a non-perishable food item which would eventually be used to compile food parcels for students in need of food.

The programme aims to give students in need a hand-up instead of a hand-out. Hence, being able to provide the student with social support is a central feature.

Kathleen and Limpho engage students

GEU and HIV/Aids Programme collaborates with Cecil Esau Residence for Cecil Pride It was with great appreciation that the GEU in collaboration with the HIV/Aids Programme facilitated ‘Cecil Esau Pride’ upon having been invited by the House Committee.

The event which aimed at educating residents on matters affecting the LGBTI within the residence saw about 90 students coming out to learn more. The event took place at Cecil Esau Residence on the 3rd of March.

See Nathan Kayser from the HIV/Aids programme engaging with a student (left).

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First Semester Orientation 2014

First year students part-taking in teambuilding

First years engaging in front of the GEU

Sheldon and Wendell having a moment

First year students share their critical views

Everyone say: ‘Hay… Sha-NayNay!’

Everyone is eager to share their views

Engaging in a teambuilding exercise

Enjoying the learning process

Volunteers putting on a skid on safety and security

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Edu-Drama Programme Established in 2006 Introduces us to the women behind statistics of violence against women, providing a platform for education through drama.

LoudEnuf Established in 2006 Engaging on issues such as gender, gender identity, sexuality and sexual orientation. Seeking LGBTI inclusion and power, not prejudice.

Food Programme Established in 2007 The primary objective is to alleviate the problem of hunger faced by UWC students and to promote education.

HumaNature Established in 2007 Raising awareness and providing education on disability, using tools such as accessible trail assessments and South African Sign Language information sessions.

Mentoring Programme Established in 2009 Committed student volunteers mentoring school learners, via community-based organizations from surrounding areas. Providing friendship, guidance, support and becoming role models.

IMBEWU Gender Equity Unit Student Newsletter Iss ue 6 | M a y 2 0 1 4 Phone 021 959 2812 Fax 021 959 3232 Email gender@uwc.ac.za University of the Western Cape c/o Robert Sobukwe Rd & Symphony Way Bellville