An initiative that allows Stellenbosch University (SU) students to change their titles on their student cards to accurately represent their gender identities, was recently implemented through the Be You initiative.
This was according to Viwe Kobokane, transformation officer of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at SU. Students who applied for a title change on their student cards through the SRC’s Be You initiative received the changed cards on 17 August, said Kobokane. The initiative ensures that students do not have to pay for a renewed student card, said Kobokane.
“The initiative gives students the chance to apply for a title change on their student cards,” said Kobokane.
This is one of the first Stellenbosch University (SU) student cards that was printed with a changed title on it. The changes were facilitated by the Be You initiative, which assists students to change their titles on their student cards and in the university system to accurately represent their gender identities. Abongile Quthu, a second-year BA (international studies) student, always wanted their preferred title, ‘mx’, to appear on their student card. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Kobokane started the initiative in March 2020. The SRC approached Dr Ronel Retief, the registrar of SU, in order to initiate Be You, said Kobokane. It was a long process, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the administration around establishing the SRC’s budget for the project. The budget was used to pay for new student cards on behalf of those students who applied for changes, according to Kobokane.
“The first student card you get in the first year [of university] is free at SU. That is why we thought that students who prefer [to change to] the correct pronouns and titles on their student cards need to have a fair chance to do so,” stated Chulumanco Nopote, a final-year BCom (management accounting) student.
One of the initial problems that the SRC faced was that students who applied for changed student cards could not necessarily pay for the new student cards, as some of them did not have the means to do so, said Kobokane. That is why the Be You initiative pays for the new student card on behalf of the students.
“The university was very quick to help with the process, and we had requests that were met immediately,” said Kobokane.
Abongile Quthu, a second-year BA (international studies) student, told MatieMedia that they applied for the Be You initiative as soon as they heard of it in March 2020. Although the process was prolonged due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they are happy that their true identity can be reflected on some form of identification, they said. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Nopote told MatieMedia that they are set to receive their new student card this week. The process of changing their title on their student card to their preferred title was one of acceptance, according to Nopote.
“I can finally take control of my own gender,” said Nopote.
Abongle Quthu, a second-year BA (international studies) student, explains what the BeYou initiative has been like, and how they feel after receiving their new student card. AUDIO: Heléne Leonard
So far, 23 students have successfully applied for a title change on their SU student cards through the Be You initiative, according to Nopote. Applicants have been divided into groups of five, with each group given a specific time at which to collect their new student cards from the IT hub. This is intended to ensure adherence to Covid-19 protocols during the rollout of the cards, according to Nopote.
“It was such a riveting experience for me to receive my new student card. And to educate others in my community,” stated Abongile Quthu, a second-year BA (international studies) student who was one of the first students to receive their new student card on 17 August.