UKZN study highlights black lesbian experiences at TVET colleges

Dr Sanele Siwela is elated at achieving her PhD in Social Justice Education. Her thesis entitled: A Feminist Analysis of Black Lesbian Students’ Academic and Social Experiences at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institution in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa examined how the various social identities of Black lesbian students intersect to influence their post-school education and training experiences. The study also investigated the factors that influence their participation and success in post-school education and training, and how they negotiated the influence of these factors.

‘As a TVET college lecturer for the past 12 years, I have observed the marginalisation and exclusionary practices that lesbian students experience because of their sexual orientation. They are undermined and often shunned by their heterosexual peers,’ explained Siwela.

The study found that Black lesbian students experienced heterosexism at the TVET college, as well as in their homes, communities and in public places. This results in a range of psychosocial issues, which lead to academic failure and dropout, as well as attempts at self-harm in some cases.

Siwela said that ‘psychological support for minority students remains inadequate in TVET institutions. My study advocates strongly for psychological interventions, inclusive curriculum, institutional policies, and inclusive infrastructure to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students in tertiary settings.’

‘I found limited research in South Africa that addresses the discrimination and marginalisation of lesbian students in post schooling contexts; my study thus adds vital knowledge to this field of research.’

She hopes that her findings will be used to address heterosexism and its destructive effects in education as well as inspire further research on the intersectionality of class, race, culture, sex, gender and location, especially in the TVET college context.

‘I would like to thank Drs Saajidha Sader and Melanie Martin and Mrs Rosemary Kuhn for their support, guidance and kindness and express my immense love and gratitude to my daughter, Nonhlanhla Siwela and my editors for commenting on various draft forms of my chapters and for constantly encouraging me to keep going.’

Sader applauded her achievement saying ‘achieving a PhD is no small feat and I commend Sanele on her success. The doctoral journey is an arduous and daunting one but you persevered. This success is testament to your will, determination, commitment, competence and agency. While your study makes an invaluable contribution to the body of knowledge in the field, the benefits to your participants in having a safe space to share their experiences and their conscientisation through their participation was for me one of the most valuable outcomes of your research. Congratulations and well done!’

Having completed her PhD, she plans to continue with her community work aimed at improving the quality of life of youth in disadvantaged communities by promoting their participation in education and training and promoting gender, disability and learning equity and diversity in this sphere.