By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – At Maluti TVET College, the issue of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) continues to be a deeply concerning challenge, especially as many students remain silent out of fear of losing personal relationships or the support of their parents.
Student Liaison Officer Gloria Mofokeng acknowledged the emotional complexities students face. “Students are afraid to speak up because of the fear of losing their relationship with their partner or their parents. As liaison officers, we must create an environment that encourages openness. We need to have honest conversations that don’t just jump into the problem but rather build a safe and trusting space where students feel heard and supported,” she said.
In an effort to address the issue, the 100-Day Challenge was launched at MalutiTVET colleges central campus on 17 July, driven by the World of Impact Movement. Movement navigator, Nomgqibelo Mdlalose, emphasized the importance of measurable progress.
“Our country has a history of violence, and it’s as if we’ve been trying to eat an elephant when it comes to tackling GBVF. What we aim to do through the 100-Day Challenge is to break down this massive problem into practical, trackable actions that colleges and other stakeholders can implement, ” Mdlalose said.
College principal Motlalepula Tsotetsi also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fighting GBVF.
“As a college, we are deliberate in ensuring that GBV receives the attention it deserves. We have embarked on awareness campaigns because GBVF is often indirectly promoted in society. Our children are exposed to content they consume and then imitate certain harmful behaviours.
Addressing GBV is not a one-man show, we need partners and stakeholders who share the same vision if we are to succeed,” he said.
As part of their GBV awareness strategy, Maluti TVET College hopes to foster collaboration with activists, students, and community stakeholders to create lasting change on and off campus.
