The Student Services and Development launched the DUT Midlands Centre Men and Women’s Forum last Wednesday, 2 September 2015. The theme of the forum was on Customs and Traditions. Guests in attendance were Prince Nhlanganiso Zulu, Prince Thubelihle Zondi, Secretary of the Board of Amakhosi (uMgungundlovu); Dr Nomagugu Ngobese of Izintombi Zomhlanga; Dr Prince Matse, Director of South African Peer Education; Deli Mthimkhulu of Iteach – leader of Abalaphi Bendabuko; Promise Makhanya, Leader of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Phumlani Kunene, a Community Liaison Officer.
The selection of the theme was to encourage students to embrace culture and tradition and the link between the theme and the launch of the forum was to educate students on issues involving knowing themselves and their strengths.

The forum is also aimed at shaping students and empowering men and women to facilitate dialogue and create networks from skilled and experienced men and women based at DUT and from external stakeholders. It also aims at providing influential leadership on the journey towards diversity in the campus, as well as addressing issues that young men and women face and how they can overcome them such as cultural education, peer pressure, gender, HIV/AIDS education as well as gender-based violence education.
All in all, the DUT Midlands Centre Men and Women’s Forum shared and discussed ideas on how young men and women can overcome social and cultural problems and how to effectively empower students to become the change, going forward.

Pictured: DUT students and externals stakeholders get together to discuss social issues at the newly formed DUT Midlands Centre Men and Women’s Forum.
Mandy Jacobs