LIFE ON CAMPUS

Lecture on Human Rights Awareness

On the 25^th of March, SRC organized Legal and Constitutional Affairs Human Rights day awareness program. The lectures were based on gender violence and freedom of expression and speech. SASCO was urged to attend since they support SRC’s legal and constitutional affairs. And many people attended.

The first lecture was a bit formal and it was based on gender violence. It was delivered by Dr. Coetzee where she began with the video of Eudy Similane who was attacked and raped because she is a lesbian. After she made us aware of corrective rape, she explained how gender violence is stated in the constitution. She told us that in the constitutional democracy we get non-racism, non-sexism, and human rights for all. From her perspective, community rules (morals) against lesbians violate the law.

She gave us a chance to ask few questions. People were keen in knowing how to educate the communities about the law, constitution, and the human rights since most of the people who are against gays and lesbians are the elderly who are not aware of the constitution and human rights.

The second lecture was focused on a right to freedom of speech and expression by Professor Kitts. It was interesting because many students participated in discussing this matter of freedom of expression. Prof. Kitts was so friendly and it seems like he knows most of the SASCO comrades because he would call them by names when answering their questions. He also made few funny actions like climbing on top of the table and applauding when other students came in late.

He explained how close freedom of expression is to democracy and that it is a crucial right in South Africa but it has limitations. However, students were not happy about the fact that they are not allowed to go to any media regarding university matters. They complained that their right is being violated but Prof. Kitts told us that the university is obliged to protect itself. Nokuthula (SRC member) of legal and constitution also calmed the students by explaining that they are creating masses for all the students to come and discuss the legal matters they have on campus.