RMF10: Student movement reshapes Agents for Change Peer Education Programme

The Agents for Change Peer Education (ACES) Programme started as an HIV/AIDS advocacy programme at the University of Cape Town (UCT) during the height of South Africa’s AIDS denialism period. Almost two decades later, it has grown by leaps and bounds, and today includes an intersectional lens in its education and outreach initiatives.

According to Stella Musungu, a student capacity-building specialist in UCT’s Office for Inclusivity and Change (OIC), the programme was redefined in response to the Rhodes Must Fall (RMF) student movement in 2015, and student needs at the time. Back then, she said, students requested training that acknowledged their lived experiences and addressed much broader issues of inequality in the South African context.

So, it expanded its scope beyond HIV awareness and prevention and included programme topics that encompass race, class, gender and sexuality – positioning HIV as part of the larger intersectional framework. Fast forward another decade and the ACES Programme has developed into a holistic transformation, inclusivity and diversity peer-education programme that builds student inclusivity competencies to enable them to become better change agents, leading difficult and uncomfortable conversations in campus residences and during co-curricular activities.

As UCT observes the 10th anniversary of the RMF student movement, it’s appropriate to reflect on the work of the ACES and their ongoing contribution towards building a transformed and inclusive university space.

Shifting attitudes and perceptions

To date, Musungu said, the programme has played a vital role in shifting attitudes and perceptions among students, especially attitudes that relate to oppressive behaviour. It has also provided a space for students to unlearn harmful social norms, and has empowered them to inspire their peers to become agents of change – actively challenging harmful behaviours and ideologies.

“These sessions encourage student volunteers to deeply explore complex topics and engage in meaningful discussions and debates on critical race theory, intersectionality and other frameworks.”

Every year she selects a pool of students who are passionate about addressing societal problems to participate in the initiative, for a period of 12 months. Once they sign up, they are trained in key intersectional areas such as race, class, gender and sexuality. The programme is divided into three segments: the first focuses on sexual consent and survivor support; the second covers anti-oppression and encompasses themes such as power, privilege and marginalisation; and the third addresses how to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, and incorporates bystander intervention strategies.

“These sessions encourage student volunteers to deeply explore complex topics and engage in meaningful discussions and debates on critical race theory, intersectionality and other frameworks that amplify the voices of marginalised groups,” Musungu said.

Critical reflection

During sessions, students are guided to critically reflect on their own lived experiences and explore how oppression manifests – not only in the university setting, but in society as well. After their training, students are encouraged to create safe, inclusive spaces where they facilitate difficult conversations. By then, they will have developed skills that help them navigate opposing viewpoints, manage challenging group dynamics, and learn how to facilitate discussions from a non-judgemental, empathetic perspective.

“It is through this practical application of knowledge that both learning and unlearning takes place – fostering a shift in attitudes, greater sensitivity, and meaningful changes in thinking and behaviour,” she said.

“By the time the programme ends, students are well equipped to handle difficult conversations that relate to challenges we face on campus and outside, including racism and discrimination, power and privilege, and white supremacy.”

A proud moment

Reflecting on the programme, Musungu said there is a lot to be proud of. She stated that redefining its initial HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention focus to include a broader, institution-wide approach that integrates transformation through an intersectional lens has taken hard work, but has all paid off. She remains inspired by participants who willingly sign up for the course, with passion and courage, to lead in challenging spaces and take ownership of difficult conversations with care and compassion. Watching them grow on different levels and develop valuable skills that were not part of their skillset before has been rewarding.

“Hosting discussions that can be traumatising for some because they are about our troubling history is no mean feat. Yet our participants see the need to create spaces to have these conversations to foster change, and they show up with enthusiasm to lead dialogues in these spaces. I am so proud of all of them,” she said.

“Thanks to the RMF student movement for their contribution towards that refocus.”

“And I am proud of where we are at now and how we managed to successfully redefine this programme. Thanks to the RMF student movement for their contribution towards that refocus – we would not be here without them.”