In a groundbreaking step towards addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus has launched its first-ever GBVF Empowerment Centre – a safe space designed to offer comprehensive, trauma-informed support to survivors.
Positioned as a one-stop response hub, the centre will provide a range of critical services, including psychosocial support, legal case navigation, survivor-centred reporting mechanisms and ongoing advocacy. It forms part of the broader institutional commitment of the NWU to actively contribute to eradicating GBVF in South Africa.
The launch drew a diverse gathering of stakeholders, including representatives from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, civil society organisations, the South African Police Service, academic institutions, the diplomatic corps and student leaders.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, community engagement, postgraduate studies with the assigned function of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, praised the initiative as forward-thinking and transformative.
“The GBVF Empowerment Centre at the NWU is more than a response to crisis – it is a trend-setting initiative,” said Prof Mphahlele.
“It positions our institution as a leader in institutional reform, social justice, survivor support and policy-driven advocacy.”
“The centre stands as a clear commitment that the NWU will not be a passive observer in the face of GBVF. We are declaring loudly and visibly that our university is serious about safety, dignity and justice. This centre will become a living model for how universities can respond proactively and responsibly,” he added.
The centre was spearheaded by Ujeet Maharaj, head of Student Judicial Services and project lead, who highlighted that the facility was developed through collective insight and lived experiences.
“After various GBVF events on and off campus, we knew we had to act,” said Ujeet.
“We engaged widely, listened deeply and built this centre from the ground up. It is not just a service point. It is a place of safety, healing, advocacy and education.”
Backed by a network of strategic partners, including the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Sonke Gender Justice, Higher Health, the ikhaya le Themba Empowerment Centre and international collaborators such as the University College Dublin (UCD) and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the centre combines global best practices with local relevance.
“These collaborations have culminated in the formation of an international initiative titled – University Networks of Impact (UNI) – in partnership with the UCD. Scheduled for official launch in the latter part of 2025 in Ireland, UNI represents a global committee of higher education institutions and strategic partners committed to combating GBVF through structured networking, collaborative research and innovation-led interventions,” said Dr Vedhna Dayanand-Lalla, a social worker and lecturer at the School of Psychosocial Health, and Prof Vhumani Magezi, a senior lecturer at the School of Theology, both of whom are also part of the project lead.
“As outlined in the Annual Performance Plan for 2025 of the NWU, one of the strategic imperatives of the institution is to advance internationalisation and strengthen collaborations with other institutions in the areas of research, innovation and teaching and learning,” they added.
In addition, among the distinguished guests was Mmemme Makane-Sibanda, chief director and provincial secretariat of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, who commended the NWU for its leadership and for its institutional courage and foresight.
The event concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new centre, followed by a guided tour, media engagements and a light-hearted appearance by the NWU mascot, Eagi. The presence of Eagi reminded attendees that behind policies and protocols are real people – people who deserve to feel seen, safe and supported.
