In July of this year the annual Vuyisile Mini Winter School was hosted by the Institute of Social and Economic Research in conjunction with the Neil Aggett Labour Studies Unit and the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction Unit at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Named in honour of a comrade of the South African labour movement and liberation struggle, this school is aimed at trade union office bearers in the Eastern Cape and associated labour based organisations. It seeks to create a space in which all participants can critically engage with ideas of social democracy, particularly those that pertain to the link between social policy and labour market interventions.
Following on from the highly successful winter schools in 2015 and 2016, the 2017 Winter School centred on the theme of ‘Gender, Social Policy and Labour: The Struggle for Equality’. The main objective of this year’s event was to develop a deepened understanding amongst trade union officials and labour movement activists of the connections between capitalism and the gendered nature of society. Specific attention was given to the implications for female workers in South Africa, in particular women of colour, and their organisations in the labour movement. Further, it sought to explore how the gendered nature of society impacts on both social policy and the labour market and its institutions. Relatedly, it aimed to provide a constructive space for trade unions and labour organisations to discuss and develop concrete strategies to combat the gender inequalities that characterise South African society, including those within their own organisations.
A number of members of the CSSR team were fortunate enough to contribute to the discussions undertaken as part of this year’s event. Day 1 (12 July 2017) of the winter school focused on issues of ‘Understanding Gender, Citizenship and the Labour Movement’. Following the second session of the day, Jabulile Mavuso and Yanela Ndabula facilitated discussion seeking to respond to questions around what more gender equitable citizenship might look like for men and women in South Africa. Focusing on issues of ‘The Politics of Educational and Social Transformation’, day 3 (14 July 2017) of the winter school saw a number of sessions facilitated by the CSSR. Issues of gender-based violence faced by workers in South Africa (focusing on prevalence, theories, and debated) were outlined by Werner Böhmke and Sarah-Ann Moore, followed by thoughtful and engaging discussion by the attendees. A roundtable discussion seeking to explore strategies to address sexual violence (with particular reference to the events surrounding the #RUReferencelist protests at Rhodes in 2016) was presented by Vuyani Jacobs, Yanela Ndabula, Jabulile Mavuso, Liz Chitiki, Megan Reuvers, and Werner Böhmke. Finally, Jacqui Marx and Malvern Chiweshe facilitated a spirited and challenging discussion on sexualities and workplace policies.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelming positive, with the winter school described as very fruitful, motivating, and educational. Many attendees noted that they felt they had learnt a great deal through the course of the winter school, with one stating “Now the school has taught me that I must stand up and fight for my right as women and get back my dignity as I was never born to be oppressed in whatever way”. Special thanks must be extended to organisers, presenters, and attendees alike in contributing to such a productive and engaging event.