Dear CUT Community 

This year marks the 68th anniversary of National Women's Day, commemorating the historic march of 20,000 women of all races protesting the extension of Pass Laws to women. These laws required Africans to carry a document to enter areas reserved for white people under the Apartheid system. 

Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophie Williams fearlessly led the march to the Union Buildings, demanding equality despite their social status at the time. Their determination to advance women continues to inspire us. 

This year’s theme, "Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women's Development," resonates with our university as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. We believe that advancing the development of women at CUT is crucial for achieving our 2030 Vision. 

We acknowledge the importance of the full participation of women in management and leadership positions for building the future we want. We need to assess how we have empowered and advanced the rights of women in our 30-year democratic journey as a country and a university. 

From an institutional perspective, we are committed to empowering and encouraging women to occupy management and leadership roles. The Next Generation Women in Leadership (nGenWIL) Programme connects CUT female employees with influential and experienced female mentors across the country to prepare them for leadership positions in various fields. 

Escalating cases of gender-based violence (GBV) are a pressing concern. Crime statistics for 2023/2024 reported approximately 10,516 rapes, 1,514 cases of attempted murder, and 14,401 assaults against female victims, along with 881 women murdered during three months. These incidents, many of which go unreported, pose a significant threat to the progress made in empowering women. 

In response, we have initiated a Men’s Conference to promote respectful behaviour among young males on our campuses and set up a GBV Helpdesk in collaboration with Protection Services and the Wellness Unit to address these incidents for our students and staff. 

Through these interventions, we aim to create a safe environment for women at CUT, in our communities, and our homes, enabling them to live without fear and enjoy the same freedoms we often take for granted. 

The executive leadership team and I wish you a meaningful Women's Day and a thoughtful Women’s Month, allowing us to reflect on our gains and challenges in our transformation journey at the institution. 

Kind regards, 

Prof Pamela Dube: Vice-Chancellor and Principal 

Uploaded: 09 August 2024