The Siyakhula staff programme is being relaunched and expanded as part of the Employment Equity and Diversity Capacity Building Programme.

Since 2016 more than 600 staff members at all post levels from different divisions and disciplines joined discussion sessions as part of this transformation competency series. The model of the Siyakhula staff programme has always been well received because it recognises the complexity of challenges faced by Stellenbosch University staff in a rapidly changing context. The programme capacitates staff with diversity knowledge by learning from one another, exploring attitudes and sharing skills to improve the quality of communication and relations.

Building on the success of previous years, the relaunched programme will continue as a partnership between Human Resources, the Transformation Office, the Equality Unit and the Disability Unit. Monica du Toit will still coordinate the programme in her new role as part of Human Resources and specifically the Employment Equity and Diversity Capacity Development Programme. The 2019 programme offers 18 different discussion themes that will address practical challenges such as diversity management, sexual harassment, racism and employment equity and improve empathy, mediation and facilitation skills, with an added theme to activate the creative side of staff to design inclusive and accessible spaces for all.

Over the years, many divisions have chosen this programme as a measurable way to implement transformation goals, but it has also become an opportunity for leaders to listen to staff experiences and to help ensure that inclusion efforts translate into authentic practices and behaviours. From 2019 onwards, groups will be able to book the themes of their choice via this link: https://goo.gl/JheT2s; alternatively, you can contact Monica du Toit ([email protected]) regarding specific needs or arrangements. The available programme options and content are outlined in the attached documents with the option of applying to participate in a central three-day programme or to book specific sessions for teams. The programme is offered at no cost to Stellenbosch University staff.