Bridging the gap: Rhodes University formalises support network for LGBTQIA+ students

By Siqhamo Jama

 

As global centres of higher learning, universities trade in the currency of knowledge and cross-cultural collaboration. By design, they champion progress and intellectual expansion. Yet academic excellence is only one side of the coin; for LGBTQIA+ students, the social transition to university can be far more complex.

Rhodes University’s newly-established Community of Care aims to address this gap. It formalises a network that ensures the University’s inclusive ethos is visible and accessible

The launch was a calculated move. Historically, Pride events at Rhodes University take place in September, but organisers noticed a flaw: by spring, many first-years had already spent months struggling in silence.

“By September, it is often too late,” says Dr Claire Kelly, Director of Equity and Institutional Culture. “We realised students were not always aware of the support available. Launching now ensures every student feels seen from day one.”

The ‘Safe Person’ network

The Community of Care is far more than a social collective; it is a visible, sustainable network committed to student well-being. At its heart is the ‘Safe Person’ initiative. These are identifiable staff members who display specific badges and office door stickers, providing students with a clear visual cue of where to turn for support.

The network is built on the premise that “care work is labour.” It recognises that the informal emotional support staff provide is a skilled, vital service deserving of institutional merit. To join, staff must demonstrate a commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, sign a formal code of conduct, and complete foundational training in gender-affirming care, lay counselling, and referral pathways.

Once active, members provide non-judgmental spaces and practise active listening, guiding students to appropriate internal and external resources while upholding strict standards of confidentiality and consent.

To prevent burnout, the Core Coordination Team  facilitates regular debriefing sessions and annual refresher training, maintaining a robust and empathic resource for the university.

A human rights imperative

The event featured insights from Advocate Shuaib Rahim, a Senior Lecturer with a distinguished history in human rights advocacy. Having served as the African Representative for Amnesty International’s LGBTQI network, Adv. Rahim underscored the importance of this initiative

“Creating a space for everyone is vital in a university context,” Adv. Rahim noted, pointing out that students often face barriers not only in professional spheres but within their own homes. Dr Kelly echoed this, stating that the experiences of exclusion, whether on campus or beyond, directly affect a student’s ability to "live into their potential" and thrive in their studies.

Ubuntu as a deliberate act

The Community of Care is built on the philosophy of Ubuntu – the belief that well-being is communal rather than individual. This was brought to life during the launch through an icebreaker titled ‘Find Someone Who’, encouraging attendees to connect across roles and experiences.

Through the exercise, students discovered shared experiences with mentors and peers, revealing a room that reflected both global and local journeys,  from Hong Kong and Qatar to communities across South Africa.

By framing kindness and compassion as deliberate acts, the Community of Care aims to deepen a culture where diversity is actively affirmed and lived every day.