UKZN Student Residence Affairs Department Launches New Women’s Forum

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The Department of Student Residence Affairs at UKZN launched a new women’s forum for Medical School and Howard College Residences called “Her Space”.

The event was held at the Howard College Theatre on 4 October 2024. The forum is the brainchild of the University’s Department of Student Residence in line with its commitment to empower female students, foster a supportive environment within its residences, and promote a dedicated support structure that addresses unique challenges faced by women every day.

Ms Sibongile Shabalala, Her Space President said, ‘This organisation is a female’s forum hence its name, hence the slogan “Her space, her castle, she reigns”. This initiative arises from the need to address issues related to safety, mental health, academic pressure, gender-based violence, and all social stigma faced by female students in our residences.

‘The forum’s mission is to empower female students by fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages academic success, personal development, and leadership growth,’ she said.

The event’s programme focused on issues such mental health awareness, community building, redefining academic excellence, women in leadership, and gender-based violence.

Dr Sibonisile Zibane, UKZN lecturer and one of the panelists, said, ‘If you want to be successful as an academic, or as a leader, you must be rooted in something. You need to be rooted in principles, you need to be rooted in ethics. I myself am rooted in the principle of ubuntu.

‘Her Space is an opportunity for young women to correct even those narratives spoken about us as women. At all times, Her Space must be a safe space for women to be free and vulnerable. We usually don’t like speaking about our issues, but Her Space must be that space where one can be free to talk about their issues.’

Focusing on gender-based violence, Mr Sanele Zuma, Men of Virtue Chairperson, addressed the issue of consent, urging men to understand what it really means, especially in terms of sexual abuse. ‘Basically, I cannot sleep with you, without you explicitly giving consent. Even the courts will not go with that argument. Ultimately, they will want to know whether explicit consent was given, and that is one of the things I’ve realised we men don’t understand,’ he said.

The event also featured art performances. Ms Mbali Nofemele, third-year Bachelor of Social Sciences student, delivered a powerful poem regarding men and their treatment of women. Ms Busisiwe Samkelisiwe Mthana, first-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student, also sang a beautiful and emotional song.

Mr Kwanele Mduduzi Mndebele, Residence Life Officer, and Founder of Her Space, thanked guest for attending the event to witness the launch of the new forum. ‘This is only the beginning, we are still going to do two more programmes before the end of the year. We need people who are innovative, who can think of new ideas in terms of how we grow as a forum. We are not only focusing on UKZN, but we also going to expand and go even international because we want our work to be seen,’ he said.

Words: Nduduzo Duma

Photograph: Andile Ndlovu