UCT intensifies search for Uyinene Mrwetyana. Image: Instagram/uyinene

UCT intensifies search for Uyinene Mrwetyana. Image: Instagram/uyinene

Rhodes University opens bursary fund for thesis on gender-based violence

The announcement was made at the launch of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation.

UCT intensifies search for Uyinene Mrwetyana. Image: Instagram/uyinene

UCT intensifies search for Uyinene Mrwetyana. Image: Instagram/uyinene

The launch of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation has inspired Rhodes University to open up a bursary fund for Masters students who are interested in writing a thesis on gender-based violence.

What we know about the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation

Months after the country sobered up from the horrible news of Uyinene Mrwetyana’s death, her family and those deeply affected by her murder have tried to move on with their lives.

Luyanda Botha, the Post Office employee who confessed to the murder, will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Clarenreich Post Office, in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, has not been reopened after the horror it hosted on 8 August, and the subject of gender-based violence has never been this sensitive.

Mrwetyana’s family, in honouring her memory, has partnered with Rhodes University to launch a foundation in her name. The Uyinene Foundation, as it was unpacked by the late student’s mother, Nomangwane, on SABC News, will seek to keep the fight against gender-based violence alive.

“The foundation will keep her legacy alive, it will celebrate her life. As a mom, I don’t want the end to define my daughter. She was bigger than that,” she said.

On Friday, scores of supporters gathered at Kingswood High School, in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, to officiate the launch of the foundation.

A bursary for Masters students keen on finding solutions to gender-based violence

The crowds took part in a fun walk, to raise awareness on the plight women and children of South Africa face in the midst of the rise in gender-based violence.

As a response to this, the foundation has vowed to take proactive action in taking the fight against gender-based violence to government for further implementaton of laws that will protect women and children.

Rhodes University also vowed to play a key role in engaging its students and the community on the psychological impact gender-based violence has on society.

The tertiary has gone a step further and announced plans to launch a R40 000 bursery, in honour of Mrwetyana, to Masters students who are interested in writing up a thesis on the solution to gender-based violence.