Unisa condemns all forms of gender-based violence and xenophobic attacks

The University of South Africa (Unisa) joins the broader university community, the country, the continent and the world at large in condemning the spate of gender-based violence and xenophobic attacks that are currently afflicting our country.

As a university, we hold the view that these acts are both barbaric and criminal; and should not be allowed space to thrive in our universities and the country at large.

All forms of gender-based violence and harassment should be exposed without fear or favour; and the perpetrators of these dastardly acts should face the full might of the law; including lengthy prison terms and naming-and-shaming.

Equally, we condemn all those who want to turn our country into a bigot state characterized by intolerance of any person or group of persons from our fellow African states or elsewhere in the world.

With a past like ours, where Apartheid sought to tear our nation apart, we should be all the more receptive and tolerant of others; with the understanding that we all belong to one race – the human race.

Unisa therefore supports all national and international efforts to curb the scourges of gender-based violence and xenophobic attacks in all their manifestations.