Message from Prof Nalini Moodley
2nd Annual GBV Symposium 2025
Canvas for Change: Creative pathways to eradicate GBV
Hosted by the Research Niche Area: “Artivism as a Tool to Combat GBV”
In recent years, the intersection of art and activism – often termed "artivism" – has emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). By harnessing creative mediums to provoke dialogue, raise awareness and inspire societal change, Artivism is redefining the landscape of social justice. At the forefront of this transformative movement is the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), which is proud to host the 2nd Annual GBV Symposium. This dynamic event not only highlights the vital role of Artivism in addressing GBV, but also emphasises the significance of the Research Niche Area that is focused on how the arts can be used as a tool to combat GBV.
welcome on board
PRESENTERS
Dr Soraya Beukes
Exploring the Role of Art Students in Addressing Gender-Based Violence through a social justice lens
This presentation explores the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV), social justice, and the role of art students in addressing these pressing issues through creative expression.
Wandile Mgcobo & Prof Owen Seda
(Dis)identification and mobilisation in a recent community-based arts project on GBV in Hammanskraal, South Africa.
This paper is based on a self-reflexive analysis of a recent community-based arts education project (CBAE) on gender-based violence (GBV) that was undertaken by students and staff at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria in collaboration with the Greater Hammanskraal Arts and Culture Forum (GHACF).
Dr Karina Lemmer, Tshepiso Hlongwane, Chantell Khumalo
A Conversation about gender and the expression of emotion
Primary emotions are physical pre-linguistic impulses that all humans share. According to Bloch such responses are the result of the endocrine, cardio vascular, respiratory and muscular systems, and may be deemed humanity’s shared first-language.
Dr Deléne Human
Bringing Agency to the Silenced: Visual Art Education as a Tool for Social Justice and Gender-Based Violence Awareness
An artivist - artist and activist - uses art as a tool to fight against injustice and oppression by any means necessary. Artists are the voice of the marginalised, oppressed and silenced.
Nina Newman
Gender, Narrative, and Agency in the Contemporary Jewellery of Geraldine Fenn
Contemporary jewellery is a medium through which identity, narrative, and artistic vision are expressed. This article explores how South African contemporary jewellery contributes to critical engagement with gender-based violence (GBV).
Dr Jessica Draper
SELF[i]EXPOSURE: Reflecting on Gender through Smartphones
In 2022, I led an experimental research project called SELF[i]EXPOSURE (funded by an Edinburgh Catalyst Non-residential Research Fellowship) with a group of students at the Centre for Visual Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa).
Dr Dalia Farah
Woven Fates and Silenced Bodies: Scenographic Representations of Gendered Oppression in Shādhilī Faraḥ’s Night of the South
This study explores the role of scenographic design in representing gender-based violence in the play Night of the South (Layl al-Janoub) by southern Egyptian playwright Shādhilī Faraḥ.
Dr Kameshwaran Envernathan Govender
Casteless Collective And Loyilo Gijana: Artivism Through Music Against Gender-based Violence
This paper explores music as a form of artivism through a comparative lens, focusing on the Casteless Collective from Tamil Nadu, India, and South African singer-songwriter Loyiso Gijana.
Zikhona Plaatjie
Gender Based Violence Experiences Of Female Students In South African Universities: An Intersectionality Framework
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains deeply embedded in South African universities, with female-identifying students disproportionately affected by various forms of harm, including sexual harassment, coercion, and intimate partner violence.
Dr Ayanda Khala - Phiri
uOthello no Desdemona
In South Africa, intimacy is conceptually understood through the lens of histories of asymmetric experiences of race, class and gender identities, thus demonstrating the significance of context in determining how people interpret the meanings and consequences of intimate interactions.
Inge Newport
Co-Designing Service Spaces for Gender-Based Violence Response in South African Universities: An Interdisciplinary and Participatory Approach
Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to affect university campuses across South Africa, demanding spatial responses that are not only functional but ethically and culturally attuned.
Albie Sachs
Credit: Courtesy The Albie Collection / Photograph by Carolyn Parton
How the Constitutional Court dealt with GBV in the Baloyi case.
Albie Sachs is an activist, writer and former judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (1994 – 2009). He is the author of many books and has travelled widely, sharing South African experiences that might help heal divided societies.
Matsobane Ledwaba
Panel Discussion Member
Matsobane Ledwaba has BSc Degree from Rhodes University, MBA from TUT Business School and currently PhD Candidate (2024 – 2026) at Rhodes University on research thesis, developing a causal configurations likelihood model for gender-based violence and femicide for Gauteng, South Africa.
Prof Nalini Moodley
Unlearning Violence, Reimagining Futures: Artivism in the Struggle Against GBV
The welcome address for the second GBV symposium: Canvas for Change: Creative Pathways to Eradicate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will be delivered by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design and leader of the Research Niche Area on Artivism as a Tool to Combat GBV.
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Dr Annah Sefolosha
Panel Discussion Member
Dr. Annah Sefolosha is an accomplished nursing professional, academic, and leader with over 30 years of experience. She holds multiple qualifications, including a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Pretoria, and has earned numerous degrees and diplomas Which were awarded Cum Laude.
Estelle (Northern Star) and Aly B
Stop Sign: Split my wrist as I slit yours.. Maybe the redness in out blood will prove that one of us is less human..
Stop sign is a piece of Poetry in Motion that includes projection of images, dance and singing, as if a mini play is being portrayed whilst the poem is narrated.
Estelle Otto
Panel Discussion Member
Achieved a degree in Social Work in December 1996. She worked at the Department of Social Development for the past 28 years. She did general Social Work and then 5 years at the Office of the Family Advocate. For the past 14 years she has been employed at the Provincial Department of Social Development as a Victim Empowerment Coordinator.
The Kingdom
Credit: Constitutional Court Art Collection, The Kingdom, 2018, Photograph. © Elisa Iannacone
Featured Artwork
'The Kingdom' is part of The Spiral of Containment: Rape’s Aftermath series, a multi-media immersive and experiential exhibition by Mexican-Canadian photographer, cinematographer and foreign correspondent, Elisa Iannacone, featuring 25 hauntingly beautiful portraits of rape survivors.
More about the host:
The Faculty of Arts & Design boasts five departments, namely Fine & Studio Arts, Interior Design, Design Studies, Performing Arts and Visual Communication which offer the following twelve programmes: Fine & Applied Arts; Jewellery Design and Manufacture; Interior Design; Fashion Design & Technology; Higher Certificate in Music; Dance; Music (Jazz & Opera); Theatre Arts & Design with a Technical Theatre & Design or Theatre Arts & Performance elective; Commercial Photography; Integrated Communication Design and Motion Picture Production. Our programme qualification mix is locally relevant and internationally competitive.
All programmes have career-focused progression possibilities – from Higher Certificate and Diplomas at entry-level, to Advanced Diplomas, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. The Higher Certificate offers basic practical skills and knowledge in a particular discipline, while our Diploma programmes lay solid foundations for you to enter the world of work confidently and competently. The Advanced Diplomas give you a deeper understanding of a specific area of specialisation in your discipline. The Postgraduate Diplomas prepare you for the professional world, academia and provide entry to a Master’s degree and later Doctoral studies.
Entrepreneurship, Decolonisation and the Africanisation of education in the creative industries are key and central aims of our programmes. Localised and context-specific knowledge systems are embedded in every programme and provide this purposeful focus on visual art, design, dance, film, music, photography, theatre and performance. It is worth noting that TUT programmes aim to keep abreast with international trends and global influences, thereby ensuring success.
137@Murray, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Accommodation
Rates are as follows:
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1 Person R1054.50 including breakfast
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1 Person R1150 including dinner and breakfast
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2 people sharing R1350 including breakfast
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2 people sharing R1750 including dinner and breakfast
Please note that breakfast is complimentary.
SYMPOSIUM SHUTTLE SERVICE
137@Murray will provide a complimentary shuttle from the guesthouse to the TUT Arts Campus, 24 Du Toit Street and back on 8 – 9 August.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE
Delegates are welcome to contact 137@Murray directly for a quotation to assist with your airport collection/drop-off.
WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, PLEASE INCLUDE
Ref: TUTGBVSymposium
CONTACT DETAILS:
Contact number: 0124365940
Email: book@murray137.co.za
Website: www.murray137.co.za
RECOMMENDED HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Delegates must arrange their accommodation. More information on recommended options will follow shortly.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
Please see “Tour Operators Tshwane Region” under Tshwane Tourism for possible service providers.
WORTH NOTING
Temperatures
Expect perfect weather in Pretoria during March, which means high temperatures and moderate rainfall. Expect the temperatures during the day to hover around 28°C. At night, they will likely drop to about 17°C. Delegates are advised to wear layered clothing.
USEFUL SITES TO VISIT
BANK: ABSA
BRANCH: Quagga Shopping Centre
BRANCH CODE: 32 32 45
ACCOUNT HOLDER: Tshwane University of Technology
ACCOUNT TYPE: Cheque
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 004 00 000 03
SWIFT CODE: ABSAZAJJCPT
REFERENCE: Please quote F147 followed by delegate surname and initials
BANKING DETAILS FOR PAYMENT OF CONFERENCE FEE
Proof of payment should be emailed to the Conference Committee at ArtivismGBV@tut.ac.za.
Subject line: ArtivismGBV Proof of Payment.
The University reserves the right to change the agreement at any time.
By completing the registration form, you agree to the terms and conditions.
Partner
South African Journal of Art History
An accredited journal for the Visual Arts and Architecture
Sponsored by the Art Historical Work Group of South Africa
A JOURNAL FOR THE VISUAL ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE
The South African Journal of Art History is an accredited, peer reviewed journal that publishes scholarly articles on the following subjects:
Art and architectural history
Art and architectural theory
Aesthetics and philosophy of art
Visual culture
Art and the environment
Film and photography
History of craft
History of design
Partner
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (as partner)
The City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality is classified as a Category A municipality situated in the Gauteng Province that moves progressively towards the social and economic upliftment of local communities and ensures universal access to essential services that are affordable to all. Key strategic priorities are to enhance City safety, security and emergency services and be a caring City that supports the vulnerable and provides social relief.
Tshwane Tourism
We as Tshwane would like to take this opportunity to welcome You to the capital of South Africa, where innovation, cultural richness, and the allure of international events converge to create an unforgettable experience in the heart of South Africa! Tshwane is the administrative capital, It is the official seat of the South African government and houses the offices of the President. The largest metropolitan municipality in South Africa and the third largest city in the world in terms of land mass, after New York and Tokyo/Yokohama. It is home to 134 embassies, the second largest after Washington DC.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Accepted applications to attend the 2nd GBV Symposium are, in every case, subject to these terms and conditions:
Payment terms: Payment is due in full upon completing and returning this registration form. We advise early registration and payment by bank transfer/payment to avoid disappointment. Admission to the symposium will be refused if payment has not been received.
Delegate substitution: Provided the fee has been paid in full within the time-frame as per our terms and conditions, substitutions at no extra charge can be made up to 15 working days before the start of the symposium. Send notification for any such changes in writing for the attention of the Symposium Committee at ArtivismGBV@tut.ac.za
Subject: 2nd GBV Symposium Substitute
Delegates cancellation: Must be received in writing and must be addressed to the Symposium Committee at ArtivismGBV@tut.ac.za
Subject line: 2nd GBV Symposium Cancellation.
Cancellation received 30 working days before the symposium start date entitles the cancelling delegate to a 50% credit on the amount. Any cancellation received less than 30 working days before the symposium does not entitle the cancelling delegate to any refund, and the full fee must be paid.
Non-attendance without written cancellation is treated as a cancellation with no entitlement to any refund. However, the full fee must be paid where payment has not been made yet.
Speaker changes: Occasionally, it is necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the programme's content and timing or the speakers.
Views of speakers: Views of speakers/artists at the symposium are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tshwane University of Technology or its employees.
Photographs/video recordings: Please note photographs and video footage will be taken throughout the symposium. These will be used by TUT for marketing and publicity in our publications and on our website, social media and/or possible in 3rd party publications.
INDEMNITY:
The Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology and partners, are absolved from and indemnified against any loss or damages as a result of substitution, alteration or cancellation/postponement of the symposium arising from any cause whatsoever, including, without limitations, any fortuitous event, Act of God, unforeseen occurrence or any other event that renders performance of the symposium impracticable or impossible.
The Tshwane University of Technology or staff will not be liable for any injuries, damages or loss of any nature to the visitors or loss of any property or articles.
Warranty of authority: The signatory warrants that he/she has the authority to sign this application and agrees to be personally liable to the Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology, for payments falling due pursuant thereto should such warranty be breached.
Personal information: By completing this form you give the University consent to process your personal information. The University undertakes to process your personal information for the purpose of this Symposium and in line with the requirements of the Protection of personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013.
