The President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Fort Hare, Mkhanyiseli Nomana, says the country is facing another pandemic, one of gender-based violence where men are killing women daily.
He spoke at the memorial service for the slain Fort Hare student, Nosicelo Mtebeni.
Nomana says GBV must be fought in all forms and from all angles.
He says it can be defeated if society unites in the fight against it.
Nomana asked people to pray for the students of the university.
Two tragedies befell the institution this past week, as another student fell to his death shortly after Mtembeni’s murder.
Nomana says, “There is a dark cloud hanging over our institution. A dark cloud we tried to light away with candles and prayer like we did with the previous candlelight services we had.”
Below is the live stream of the memorial service:
Academic activities
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, said they have suspended academic activities for the day to facilitate the hosting of a memorial service for the law student.
A number of dignitaries including Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela as well as provincial and local political leaders are attending the memorial service, which is under way in East London.
Buhlungu says it is a sad but special day.
“It is very special because we have dedicated the day to a memorial service to Nosicelo, to remember her in a positive way, to support the family and we have suspended all activities including classes, exams everything. We have asked our employees wherever they are to be on the live stream so that they can be part of this event.”
VIDEO: Buhlungu is being interviewed:
Rapid response
On Tuesday, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said they are working hard to implement rapid response plans to fight gender-based violence and femicide.
Mabuyane says they will also ensure they create a safe environment for students at higher learning institutions.
“The office of the premier is coordinating all government departments as well as civil society organisations with all institutions of higher learning because they are part of our eco-system. They are no longer the ivory towers what is important is to have a leadership in those institutions integrating on the plans that we are having to respond to the national strategy plan on gender-based violence.”
VIDEO: Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane on the scourge of GBV in the province:
Additional reporting by Xolani Sitshinga and Ditaba Tsotetsi.
