Uthingo Network

Uthingo Network Uthingo Network advocates for the rights of LGBTQI+
persons at the community and policy levels.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS BEYOND INCLUSION SYMPOSIUM: Confronting Anti-LGBTI+ Violence and Discrimination in the South Afric...
01/09/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

BEYOND INCLUSION SYMPOSIUM: Confronting Anti-LGBTI+ Violence and Discrimination in the South African Education System

📅 21–22 September 2026
📍 Mansfield Hall, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban
⏰ 09:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Uthingo Network, in collaboration with the International Centre of Non-Violence (ICON) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), invites students, learners, educators, researchers, activists, policymakers, mental health professionals, LGBTI+ community members and allies to apply to participate in the Beyond Inclusion Symposium.

The two-day symposium will create a critical and inclusive space to examine the realities of anti-LGBTI+ violence, queerphobia, bullying, exclusion and discrimination within South Africa's education system.

Through conversations that bring together lived experiences, research, policy and practice, we will explore what needs to change and how we can collectively build educational environments where LGBTI+ learners and students can learn, participate and thrive with safety, dignity and belonging.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We particularly welcome applications from:
- Students and learners
- Educators and school leaders
- Researchers and academics
- Policymakers and government officials
- Activists and civil society organisations
- Mental health professionals
- LGBTI+ community members
- Allies and other stakeholders

PARTICIPATION IS FREE!

There is no cost to participate in the symposium. However, participants will be responsible for making their own way to and from the venue for both days of the symposium. Participants should therefore make their own transport arrangements to Mansfield Hall, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban.

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE

Please complete the application form using the link below or scan the QR code on the poster: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/1EBLG2MZFz

Spaces are limited, so we encourage interested participants to apply early.

The RSVP List is Full.
27/08/2026

The RSVP List is Full.

RSVP ASAP!
26/08/2026

RSVP ASAP!

A CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS!!!Build your business with the Q***r Enterprise Incubator!Join a FREE 18-month entrepreneurship ...
24/08/2026

A CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS!!!
Build your business with the Q***r Enterprise Incubator!

Join a FREE 18-month entrepreneurship programme designed to help 60 LGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in Pietermaritzburg grow sustainable businesses through:

Business development training
One-on-one mentorship
Business coaching
Networking opportunities
Market access support
Enterprise incubation
Peer learning
Entrepreneurial leadership development

Apply using the link (or scan the QR Code): https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__UftjftUNU9DTEYyUVpJR0hJWk9UTkxKUEgyNzlEMC4u

Applications close: 18 September 2026!
Apply ASAP!!!

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ISIMEMEZELO SABAZOBAMBIQHAZA!!!

Yakha ibhizinisi lakho nge-Q***r Enterprise Incubator!

Joyina uhlelo lwamahhala lwezinyanga ezingu-18 lokuthuthukisa ubuchwepheshe bezebhizinisi oluklanyelwe ukusiza osomabhizinisi abangama-LGBTQI+ abangu-60 eMgungundlovu ukuze bakwazi ukukhulisa amabhizinisi abo ngendlela esimeme ngokusebenzisa:

- Ukuqeqeshwa ekuthuthukiseni amabhizinisi
- Ukululekwa umuntu ngamunye (one-on-one mentorship)
- Ukuqondiswa nokwelulekwa kwezebhizinisi (business coaching)
- Amathuba okuxhumana nabanye osomabhizinisi (networking)
- Ukwesekwa ekufinyeleleni ezimaketheni
- Ukufakwa ezinhlelweni zokukhulisa amabhizinisi (enterprise incubation)
- Ukufunda ngokuhlanganyela nozakwethu
- Ukuthuthukiswa kobuholi bezobuchwepheshe bezebhizinisi

Faka isicelo usebenzise i-Link engezansi (noma usebenzise i-QR Code): https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__UftjftUNU9DTEYyUVpJR0hJWk9UTkxKUEgyNzlEMC4u

Izicelo zivalwa mhla ziyi-18 September 2026!
Faka isicelo ngokushesha okukhulu!!!

We recently facilitated a mental wellness session tailored for LGBQ individuals aged 25 and above. The session focused o...
24/08/2026

We recently facilitated a mental wellness session tailored for LGBQ individuals aged 25 and above. The session focused on identifying common emotional triggers and exploring healthy coping strategies. Participants had the opportunity to share their lived experiences in a safe and supportive environment, fostering connection and mutual understanding.

As part of the session, we guided the group through breathing exercises and a short meditation to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Each participant then outlined personal short-term goals for the upcoming week, reflecting their aspirations and areas of focus. To reinforce accountability and support, we followed up with participants to discuss their progress, celebrate achievements, and openly address any challenges that may have hindered their goals.

We remain committed to creating inclusive spaces that nurture mental well-being and personal growth.

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Sisanda ukuqhuba uhlelo lwe-mental wellness oluhlelelwe abantu be-LGBQ abaneminyaka engu-25 nangaphezulu. Siqinisekisile ukuthi sigxile ekudingideni izinto ezibangela ukucindezeleka ngokwemizwa kanye nokuhlola izindlela zokubhekana nazo. Abebebambiqhaza babe nethuba lokwabelana ngobekuhlangenwe ngakho okuthinta izimpilo zabo endaweni ephephile nenesisekelo, okugqugquzela ukuxhumana nokuqondana.

Njengengxenye yenhlanganyelo, sihole iqembu ekwenzeni izindlela ezahlukahlukene zokuphefumula (breathing exercises) ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukuphumula nokuzazi (mindfulness). Umuntu ngamunye wabe eseveza izinhloso zakhe zesikhathi esifushane zeviki elizayo, ezibonisa izifiso zakhe nezinto agxile kuzo. Ukuze siqinisekise ukuziphendulela nokusekela, sibalandelile abebebambiqhaza ukuze sixoxe ngenqubomgomo yabo, sigubhe impumelelo, futhi sikhulume ngokukhululekile ngezinselelo ezingase zibe inkinga ekufezeni izinhloso zabo.

Sihlala sizibophezele ekwakheni izindawo ezifaka wonke umuntu ezikhuthaza inhlalakahle yengqondo nokukhula komuntu siqu sakhe.

OUR VOTE. OUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.On 4 November 2026, LGBTI+ people have the power to shape the communities we live in. Yo...
13/08/2026

OUR VOTE. OUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.

On 4 November 2026, LGBTI+ people have the power to shape the communities we live in. Your vote can help demand local government that protects our rights, delivers inclusive services, keeps our communities safe, and treats every person with dignity.

Know your power. Be informed. Be involved. VOTE.

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IVOTI LETHU. IZWI LETHU. IKUSASA LETHU.

Ngomhlaka 4 November 2026, abantu be-LGBTI+ banamandla okubumba imiphakathi esiphila kuyo. Ivoti lakho lingasiza ekufuneni uhulumeni wasekhaya ovikela amalungelo ethu, ohlinzeka ngezinsizakalo ezibandakanya wonke umuntu, ogcina imiphakathi yethu iphephile, futhi ophatha wonke umuntu ngesithunzi.

Yazi amandla akho. Yiba nolwazi. Bamba iqhaza. VOTA.

We recently facilitated a SOGIESC sensitisation and LGBTI+ healthcare competency workshop for  nursing students at Madad...
12/08/2026

We recently facilitated a SOGIESC sensitisation and LGBTI+ healthcare competency workshop for nursing students at Madadeni Nursing Campus. The workshop focused on strengthening students’ understanding of inclusive and ethical healthcare practices, while highlighting the importance of creating safe, respectful, and non-discriminatory healthcare environments for LGBTI+ patients.

Investing in healthcare professionals during their academic and formative years can have a lasting and sustainable impact. Given the high turnover of healthcare personnel within institutions, workplace-based training conducted after employment may not always achieve sustained impact. Introducing LGBTI+ inclusive healthcare competencies early in students’ professional development ensures that future healthcare practitioners enter the workforce with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide affirming and inclusive care. This approach can help address gaps in service delivery and promote greater continuity and consistency in patient care.

By equipping emerging nurses with relevant knowledge, practical skills, and cultural awareness to effectively engage with diverse patient populations, this initiative contributes to building a healthcare system founded on dignity, equality, respect, and inclusion. It also has the potential to strengthen trust and communication between healthcare providers and patients, contribute to improved health outcomes among marginalised communities, and promote healthcare practices that uphold human rights, ethical principles, and patient-centred care.

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Siqhube umhlangano wokufundisa nge-SOGIESC nokuthuthukisa amakhono okunakekela ngokufanele abantu be-LGBTI+ nabafundi abenza ezobuhlengikazi eMadadeni Nursing Campus. Lo mhlangano ubuhlose ukuhlomisa abafundi ngolwazi mayelana nezindlela zokuhlinzeka ngezinsiza zezempilo ezibandakanya wonke umuntu. Ukubaluleka kokwenza izindawo ezihlinzeka ngezempilo kube yizindawo eziphephile, eziphatha wonke umuntu ngenhlonipho, ezigacwasi ngokobulili.

Ukuhlomisa ngolwazi olufana nalolu kubafundi ngenkathi besaqeqeshelwa ubuhlengikazi kungaba nomthelela omuhle futhi ongaba negalelo elikhulu kwezempilo. Le ndlela iqinisekisa ukuthi ochwepheshe bezempilo bakusasa bangena emsebenzini sebenolwazi, amakhono nokuzethemba okudingekayo ukuze banikeze ukunakekelwa okwamukelayo, okubandakanya wonke umuntu futhi okuqinisekisa isithunzi sesiguli.

Le ndlela ingaphinde isize ekubuyiseni isithunzi nokuthembakala kwezindawo ezihlinzeka ngosizo lwezempilo. Iphinde iqinise ukwethembana nokuxhumana phakathi kwabahlinzeki bezempilo neziguli, ithuthukise ukuhlinzekwa kwezempilo emiphakathini, iphinde ithuthukise izindlela zokuhlinzeka ngezinsiza zezempilo ezihlonipha amalungelo abantu, izimiso zokuziphatha kanye nokunakekelwa okugxile ezidingweni nasesithunzini sesiguli.

Yesterday, Uthingo Network proudly participated in the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Youth Peace Summit, held un...
07/08/2026

Yesterday, Uthingo Network proudly participated in the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Youth Peace Summit, held under the theme "Youth as Architects of Peace: Dialogue, Diversity and Social Responsibility in Higher Education." The summit brought together students, academics, practitioners and civil society leaders to explore how universities can foster peace, inclusion and social justice.

Our Director, Brian Sibeko-Ngidi, served as a panellist on Belonging, Transformation and the Politics of Inclusion in Higher Education, where he highlighted the need for universities to move beyond symbolic inclusion and create campuses that uphold dignity, equity and human rights for all students.

Later in the day, Brian was joined by Lerato Sefume and Ziyanda Mkhize on the panel Gender, Violence and Safety in Higher Education, where they contributed to discussions on GBVF, harmful masculinities, the safety of gender-diverse people, and gender justice. Drawing on lived experience, they emphasised that peace is only possible when every student, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, can live, learn and lead free from discrimination and violence.

The summit reaffirmed the importance of honest dialogue, courageous leadership and strong partnerships in building peaceful and inclusive campuses. We thank DUT and all the summit partners for creating this valuable platform for collective reflection and action.

Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini

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Izolo, Uthingo Network lubambe iqhaza ngokuziqhenya kwi-Youth Peace Summit ebise-Durban University of Technology (DUT), ebibanjwe ngaphansi kwengqikithi ethi "Youth as Architects of Peace: Dialogue, Diversity and Social Responsibility in Higher Education. " Le ngqungquthela ihlanganise abafundi, izifundiswa, ongoti emikhakheni ehlukahlukene kanye nabaholi bezinhlangano zomphakathi ukuze baxoxe ngokuthi amanyuvesi angakukhuthaza kanjani ukuthula, ukubandakanywa kwawo wonke umuntu kanye nobulungiswa emphakathini.

UDirector wethu, uBrian Sibeko-Ngidi, ubeyilungu lephaneli ebixoxa ngesihloko esithi Belonging Transformation and the Politics on Inclusion in Higher Education, lapho egcizelele khona ukuthi amanyuvesi kumele adlulele ngale kokubandakanya abantu ngokomfanekiso kuphela, kodwa akhe izikhungo ezihlonipha isithunzi somuntu, ukulingana kanye namalungelo abantu kubo bonke abafundi.

Ngokuqhubeka kosuku, uBrian uhlanganyele noLerato Sefume kanye noZiyanda Mkhize ephanelini ebixoxa ngesihloko esithi, Gender, Violence and Safety in Higher Education. Kule ngxoxo banikele ngemibono emayelana ne-Gender Based Violence neFemicide (GBVF), ubudoda obuyingozi, ukuphepha kwabantu abanobulili obuhlukahlukene, kanye nobulungiswa ngobulili. Besebenzise ulwazi abaluthole ezimpilweni zabo, bagcizelela ukuthi ukuthula akunakwenzeka ngaphandle kokuthi wonke umfundi ngokuhluka kobulili, ubilili abuthandayo, ubunikazi bakhe bobulili noma indlela aziveza ngayo, akwazi ukuphila, ukufunda nokuhola ngaphandle kokucwaswa noma udlame.

Le ngqungquthela iphinde yaqinisekisa ukubaluleka kwengxoxo eqotho, ubuholi obunesibindi kanye nobudlelwano obuqinile ekwakheni ama-Campus anokuthula futhi abandakanya wonke umuntu. Sibonga i-DUT kanye nabo bonke ozakwethu abahlele le ngqungquthela ngokudala le nkundla ebalulekile yokucabanga ngokuhlanganyela nokuthatha izinyathelo ezakhayo.

Umthwebuli wezithombe: S'bonelo Dlamini

A CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS!!!Build your future with Beyond Survival: Economic Inclusion for LBQT Women Empowerment.The prog...
04/08/2026

A CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS!!!

Build your future with Beyond Survival: Economic Inclusion for LBQT Women Empowerment.

The programme will equip participants with job readiness and employability training, practical skills development, and personalised mentorship and career coaching to prepare them for sustainable employment opportunities. Through inclusive employer partnerships and entrepreneurship support for those who choose self-employment, we create multiple pathways that empower individuals to build successful and sustainable careers.

Apply using the link (or QR Code on the poster) : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__UftjftUMDhLMFlXWks5VUVPSEJPRjFCSjYxS1E0Ty4u

Applications close: 14 August 2026
Apply ASAP!

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ISIMEMEZELO SABAZOBAMBIQHAZA!!!

Yakha ikusasa lakho ngohlelo lwe-Beyond Survival: Economic Inclusion for LBQT Women Empowerment.

Lolu hlelo luzokunikeza ukuqeqeshwa kokulungela umsebenzi, ukuthuthukiswa kwamakhono, ukuqondiswa ngabeluleki, kanye nokwesekwa ekwakheni umsebenzi noma ekuqaleni ibhizinisi, ukuze wandise amathuba akho okuziphilisa.

Sebenzisa le-link ukufaka isicelo (noma usebenzise i-QR Code ekwi-poster): https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__UftjftUMDhLMFlXWks5VUVPSEJPRjFCSjYxS1E0Ty4u

Usuku lokuvala izicelo: 14 August 2026
Faka isicelo ngokushesha!

Address

19 Comrades Road, Scottsville
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27333426165

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