The Durban University of Technology (DUT), through its Gender Forum, in partnership with the Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre (UCEC), officially launched its Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign with a thought-provoking webinar on 25 August 2025. This forms part of a series of activations ahead of the 5km Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Walk, taking place on 4 October 2025.
During the webinar, UCEC representatives, Ms Baxolile Mbhele and Ms Venece Maduray, presented sobering statistics and insights on human trafficking, highlighting South Africa as both a source and destination country. Women, children, and young people remain the most vulnerable, with trafficking often hidden within communities. Speakers stressed the urgent need for collaborative action and education to address this global crime.
In her opening remarks, Dr Rosaline Govender, Chairperson of the DUT Gender Forum, reflected on DUT’s responsibility as a people-centred institution: “As a university community, we cannot remain silent. Human trafficking strips individuals of dignity and freedom, and through this campaign we aim to walk together, raise our voices, and drive meaningful change.”
The campaign directly aligns with DUT’s ENVISION 2030 strategy, which calls on the DUT community to be engaged citizens who contribute towards a more just and equitable society. By creating safe spaces for dialogue and leading initiatives that protect vulnerable communities, DUT continues to live out its DNA of being people-centred and engaged. The upcoming 5km Awareness Walk will bring together DUT staff, students, alumni, and the wider community to walk in solidarity against trafficking.
Tickets are available via Quicket (https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1573992504) – R100 for adults and R50 for students. Proof of purchase must be emailed to Ms Ronelle Lyson – ronellel@dut.ac.za to receive a DUT race pack, including a branded DUT T-shirt.
The walk will be officially started by DUT alumnus and popular radio DJ, J Sbu, symbolising the unity of the DUT community in amplifying voices against injustice.
Through this partnership with UCEC, the Durban University of Technology and the DUT Gender Forum reaffirm their commitment to advancing ENVISION 2030’s mission: building resilient communities, fostering social justice, and ensuring that DUT continues to be a university that is engaged, innovative, and people centred.
Pictured: The DUT Steve Biko campus.
Ronelle Lyson
