TUT Hosts Student Dialogue and Mass Awareness Campaign

By       : Avumile Seela

Twitter: @avumile_seela

Email  : avumilemofasa@gmail.com

Picture Captured by Avumile Seela

The Student Affairs and Extracurricular Development (SAED) department at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) hosted Student Dialogue and Mass Awareness Campaign on the 22^nd August 2023 at TUT Soshanguve South campus.

TUT conducted research about the number of fatal suicides, road accidents, substance abuse, and gender-based violence (GBV) offences amongst its community. So, this event was to educate students about several ways on how to tackle their issues and how to prevent them.

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“The research has shown us that the earlier you experience sexual violence the greater the likely hood of you experiencing more episodes of sexual violence in your lifetime, and individuals who are exposed to violence tend to normalize it because they primarily think this is supposed to happen,” said Director of Clinical Forensic Medical Services at Gauteng Department of Health,Mr Mohau Makhosane

The Gauteng Department of Health Clinical Forensics Medical Services in c ollaboration with TUT invited different stakeholders around the province to address and educate students about social challenges faced.

Awareness campaigns are most valuable when they start conversations. While it is important to know that a cause exists, knowing what action someone should take after their involvement and participation in the awareness campaign is more important.

Students are facing distinct types of stress; one of them is academic stress. This campaign brought experts from various departments to give students a chance to relieve themselves from the burden they have been carrying all these months. It gives them time to socialize and open up to their peers and play entertaining mind games.

Picture Capture by Avumile Seela

Later students were cheered up by a drama episode from the Soshanguve student drama group. The drama episode clearly emphasized the challenges addressed earlier and how to deal with them.

Other students were given a chance to embrace their talents through poems, and music. Later the Soshanguve aerobics team introduced the exercising session for individuals who attended the event.

This event helped individuals to enhance passion and support, inspire self-mobilization and action, and mobilize local expertise and resources, it is crucial to raise public awareness. In the video below student outline what they they have learnt from this event.

This event is expected to take place in Ga Rankuwa Campus in the next quarter. Students were advised to visit the Students Development and Support centers to get professional help and advices from campus therapists.