Rhodes academics donned their gowns and added their voices to the chorus of protests against gender-based violence across the Eastern Cape and the country.
Rhodes academics donned their gowns and added their voices to the chorus of protests against gender-based violence across the Eastern Cape and the country.
Along with academics from the other universities in the province, they embarked on simultaneous marches on Tuesday 21 March to show their solidarity with victims and raise awareness.
Joined by singing and shouting community members and students on the march from the cathedral to campus, the 150-strong crowd was met by more protesters in purple shirts lining the avenue beyond the Drostdy Arch.
In front of the university admin buildings Student Representative Council President Sakh'usomeleze Badi and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela addressed the crowd.
Mabizela said the university takes the issue of gender-based violence very seriously and all communities must play their part in ridding the country of violence against women and children.
He also called on everyone to identify the perpetrators of these "despicable" crimes.
Both Mabizela and Badi referred to the brutal attack and rape of Thandiswa Qubuda, a young Grahamstown woman who died after spending six weeks in a coma.
"We call on communities to identify the perpetrators of these despicable deeds so that they can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Mabizela said.
Citing an Interpol study, Badi said it is estimated that a woman is raped every 17 seconds in South Africa.
"I challenge all men to take a stand against gender-based violence," he said.
Badi highlighted the importance of projects like the annual Silent Protest at Rhodes about a month ago, which has spread beyond Grahamstown in the last couple of years.
He said the Silent Protest, in which protesters tape their mouths shut for a day to show solidarity with women who feel they cannot speak out about rape, has helped survivors deal with the trauma of being sexually violated.
"It is, nevertheless, important for us to harness every effort aimed at educating, and curtailing violence against women in our society, so let us not grow weary," Badi said.
The other universities taking part in Tuesday's protest were Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan universities.
