By Shonani Mufamadi
In a powerful campaign to tackle bullying in all its forms, the Gender Desk, in collaboration with SRC Gender and Wellness and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development, hosted a campus-wide workshop aimed at fighting GBV, cyberbullying, psychological abuse, and more.
From left to right: Christine Mabaso, Chairperson of SRC Gender and Wellness; Dr. Ngwako Rapakwana, Director of the Gender Desk; Anna Mabina, Student Psychologist at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development; Kamogelo Moagi, Gender Desk Student Assistant; and Seetja Mmotong, Secretary of SRC Gender and Wellness, join forces to shatter bullying – making it clear to zero tolerance to bullying. Photo by: Unarine Mudau
Titled “Stop Bullying, Protect One Another”, the 2025 workshop focused on gender sensitization and awareness. Kamogelo Moagi, Gender Desk student assistant, unpacked the root causes of harassment, noting that “unhealed trauma, ignorance, toxic masculinity, power abuse, poverty, cultural norms, and even so-called compliments” often feed into bullying.
Moagi also addressed male students directly, urging them to speak up. “There is nothing shameful about reporting abuse. If you keep bottling it up, one day you’ll react and end up being the one arrested.”
Kamogelo Moagi addressing students on the topic of gender-based violence and harassment against male and female during the student workshop at R – 40 Conference Hall. Photo by: Unarine Mudau
Student psychologist from CSCD, Anna Mabina, warned that student cohabitation can worsen abuse. “Many students live like married couples in residences, due to poverty, defunding, or loneliness, but no excuse justifies GBV.”
Anna Mabina, clinical psychologist, warns that cohabitation fuels violence — but makes it clear: no excuse justifies GBV. Photo by: Unarine Mudau
Dr. Ngwako Rapakwana, Director of the UL Gender Desk Unit, emphasized that bullying leads to students deregistering or withdrawing socially. “Even bystanders are complicit. Watching and saying nothing destroys Ubuntu.” She also revealed the intense bullying faced by LGBTQIA+ students, especially in male residences. “Some are followed into bathrooms or have their clothes taken while bathing,” she shared.
Rapakwana urged students to report incidents to the Gender Desk. “Quitting bullying is redemption, from self-destruction to becoming a better person,” she said.
Dr. Ngwako Rapakwana hits hard: “Watching bullying and staying silent makes you as guilty as the bully — it destroys Ubuntu. Photo by: Unarine Mudau
Mashodu Mndebele, final-year BA Social Work student, described cyberbullying as the worst form. “Social media is destroying mental health. We need admins to tighten reporting systems,” she said.
Dorens Shandu, final-year BA Criminology student, shared her experience with online bullying. “I posted a pregnancy picture and people laughed, called me ugly. It really hurt, I almost went to the police.”
Tebatjo Madihlaba, Honours Media Studies student and Gender Desk champion, emphasized the importance of awareness. “People don’t realise they’re bullying. This workshop made me want to do better,” she said.
The message was clear, enough is enough. Students were urged to respect one another, report abuse, and stand together against bullying in all its forms.
