The inaugural FHS Culture Indaba of the Transformation and Equity Committee was held last week, 28 August 2024, at the Neuroscience Institute. It was initiated as a space where key staff could meet to discuss and deeply think on a chosen area, with the topic for this year being the ‘application of the new language policy’ which falls under the ‘Place and Space transformation benchmark’. Each year a different topic will be chosen, usually based upon a problem area identified in the preceding year’s transformation report. The hope is that by having the space and time dedicated to fully explore an area, complete with expert speakers and panelists, the relevant ‘instigators of change’ can devise ways to transform the faculty culture successfully.

This year the themes and topics were introduced by Dr Tshilidzi van der Lecq (FHS Faculty Culture Chair) and Ms Viwe Kobokana (Transformation Officer for the faculty). The keynote address was given by Mr Sivuyisiwe Toto, from the School of Public Health and the FHS representative on the senate language policy committee. He did a deep dive into the new language policy and all the ways in which multilingualism can be better incorporated. Thereafter Ms Nolubabalo Tyam, from the Multilingualism Education Project (MEP) of CHED, elaborated on the UCT language development plan and the support that they offer as a department for integrating Multiligualism. Some illuminating statistics were presented by Deputy Dean Dr Kerrin Begg, which served to expand knowledge on which languages are represented among our student body, with information on the sense of belonging reported by students in the faculty.

The indaba included lunch and time for facilitated discussions and brainstorming.

The day also featured a dedicated session on the importance of self-care, which is increasingly being recognized as critical to staff, especially those engaged in transformation work. Mx Chantè Arab (Gender and Sexual Diversity Advocate for the faculty) gave a lecture that looked deeply into the notions of rest and productivity and how our modern ‘capitalist’ norms have informed how we view our own value relative to productivity. The day ended with a meaningful introspection into ways in which we can help to prevent burnout in ourselves and others as we champion the work of progress.

Sprinkled throughout the day were also ‘self-care breathers’ led by Psychologist Dr Lane Benjamin, from the GSH wellness department. These helped maintain focus throughout the day, as well as providing very useful strategies to reduce stress.

The day was an immense success. We plan to use the feedback, collected digitally and anonymously from attendees to further improve what we hope will become a yearly fixture providing a transformative discussion platform in a deeply considered way that dovetails efforts from across the faculty. As the African proverb tells us, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”