Page 8 - Thetha Issue 6

HUBS OF CONVERGENCE

Converging in service of society

One of the first fruits of the new Engagement and Transformation Portfolio (ETP) established in
2020 is the Hubs of Convergence, which are rooted in the University’s desire to serve a larger
social purpose. Falling under the Engagement Office of the ETP, there are six hubs that aim to
bring to life key strategic objectives. The hope is that they will become a collaborative, multi-
stakeholder space of exploration to position and reposition the engagement and transformation
interface of Nelson Mandela University. Gillian McAinsh explores a few of the numerous hub
projects.

Taking a stand against

gender-based violence

ub Three of the Hubs of experience of many women in South
Convergence focuses on Africa today.
Hgender-based violence (GBV), Another pillar to fight this
with Mandela University prioritising scourge is the GBV Forum. This
numerous initiatives that send out a grouping of 10 stakeholders brings
strong message against GBV. together the University’s HIV Unit
The University considers gender and Transformation Office, along
justice a vital area to focus on, as with local non-governmental and
the country has disturbingly high community-based organisations
rates of GBV – one of the highest focused on various aspects of GBV.
in the world. Given that women The forum aims to foster
constitute 59% of all students at collaboration between members,
public higher education institutions build a network for understanding

in South Africa, urgent and dedicated each other’s work, and provide Urban farming
efforts to address sexual and gender- a supportive environment for
based violence are needed. organisational development. for sustainable food
Against this backdrop, it is The GBV forum also puts in place production
significant to report that Professor various advocacy and awareness
Pumla Dineo Gqola from the Centre interventions over the national 16
for Women and Gender Studies days of activism in November and
has won the 2022 Humanities and December.
Social Sciences Book Award: Best Anti-GBV and related areas
Monograph in Non-fiction for her which are supported through the
2021 book, Female Fear Factory. University’s new online giving portal
Female Fear Factory builds on include:
the concept of how patriarchal fear
is produced publicly in order to • GBV, HIV and mental health
maintain compliance for GBV. awareness campaigns
Prof Gqola is also the University’s • Support for health professionals,
SARChI Chair on African Feminist caretakers and community leaders
Imaginations. Researching gender • Empowerment programmes
issues such as power and patriarchy, and initiatives driven towards
the Chair generates research of children, women, men and queer
immense significance to the lived communities.

8 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022