By Levy Masiteng
In a display of solidarity, Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane has led a peaceful protest march in Bhisho, Eastern Cape, alongside over 400 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student leaders.
The march was aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence and femicide and the department’s commitment to fighting this pandemic.
“Safety is a prerequisite to learning, and we will not rest until all students can pursue their education without fear, harm or discrimination,” she declared during the march.
“We believe that every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our institutions of higher learning are free from GBVF.”
The march was organised by the South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Students Association (SATVETSA) and featured various civil society partners, including Higher Health, which is the department’s implementing agency for health and wellness.
During the march, Higher Health deployed its mobile clinic, nurses and trained mental health professionals to provide services such as psychosocial support, counselling and referral assistance.
“We are committed to creating a culture of accountability, empathy and respect in our institutions of higher learning,” Nkabane said.
“We recognise that GBVF is a deeply rooted pandemic that affects not only individuals but also our entire society, and we will work with all stakeholders to address this challenge.”
She said the department was working at addressing GBVF through various initiatives.
They included the launch of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) GBV Policy Framework in 2020 and the development of national protocols on topics such as rape response and campus safety.
Nkabane added that the Higher Health has also been playing a leading role in operationalising systemic responses to GBVF throughout the PSET sector.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to create a society that values and respects the rights and dignity of all individuals,” Nkabane said.
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