GBV Awareness Walk on Women’s Day

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UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus became a vibrant space filled with unity and advocacy on Women’s Day when students, staff and community partners joined forces for the GBV Awareness Walk and Pledge.

Organised by the Department of Student and Residence Affairs-Residence Life team, the Walk reaffirmed the University’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence, while advancing the principles of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Themed: ‘Empower Women - Empower the Nation’, the Walk drew a diverse network of stakeholders, including representatives from the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Legislature, the National Prosecuting Authority, Lifeline social workers, the Department of Correctional Services, the Alexandra Police Station Women’s Desk, Aurum PopInn, Uthingo Network, Fidelity Security Company, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Msunduzi Municipality, the Community Chest, the Civil Society Forum and Community Safety.

GBV remains one of the most urgent and devastating challenges in South Africa, disproportionately affecting women, children and members of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other gender and sexual identities) community. The Walk served as both a call to action and a platform for education, solidarity, and healing.

The event began at the Library Lawn, where students gathered in T-shirts printed with GBV messages, proudly displaying placards with messages such as ‘No Means No’ and ‘UKZN Says No to GBV’.

Led by Residence Life Officer Mr Mzwandile Mhlongo, the route went along Golf Road, Ridge Road and Alan Paton Road, ending at the King Edward Main Gate where there was a moment of silence to honour victims of GBV, followed by the UKZN Pledge, led by Residence Life Officer Mr Celuxolo Dlamini, reinforcing the Institution’s commitment to safety and justice.

The day also featured testimonies from survivors, words of support from the KZN Legislator’s Office and artistic performances by the Mflaze Almeida. 

Residence Life Co-ordinator Ms Nonjabulo Ntombela praised the strong student and stakeholder turnout: “This was more than a walk, it was a living example of how partnerships can transform words into action. GBV has no place in our University, residences, our city or our country,” said Ntombela.

She further encouraged students to make full use of the University’s available student support services, emphasising that help was always within reach. She reiterated the importance of speaking out against any form of abuse or violence, reminding students that silence protected perpetrators, while voices raised together could drive change and foster a safer, more supportive campus community.

Stakeholders committed to strengthening prevention and support measures, noting that collaboration was essential for meaningful change.

Residence Life Officer Sethenjwa Nduli, who was part of the co-ordination and facilitator of the event, emphasised that the GBV Walk was more than a symbolic gesture, rather it was a strategic intervention aligning with both national and international commitments. “Our programme directly reflects the NSP on GBVF’s objectives of prevention, safety and accountability. In doing so, we also advance SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). This is about creating safer spaces, healthier communities, and a culture of equality. The NSP on GBVF calls for a society free from fear and violence, placing emphasis on co-ordinated, multi-sectoral responses,” said Nduli.

The GBV Walk embodied the stated principles by fostering partnerships between the University, law enforcement, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and municipal bodies, and was part of UKZN’s ongoing GBV Awareness Campaign, which includes the establishment of a dedicated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Investigations Unit available across all campuses. This unit works closely with Risk Management Services (RMS) to ensure survivor-centred, confidential, and trauma-informed handling of cases.

Words: Sethenjwa Nduli

Photographs: Supplied