By Charmaine Ndlela
A University of the Free State (UFS) student who brandished a poster saying “All men should die” during a gender-based violence (GBVF) protest has ignited a backlash on campus and online.
The 15-minute demonstration took place on Friday in front of the university’s main building, during nationwide anti-GBVF protests prior to the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The female student stood alone, holding the handwritten sign, drawing attention from passers-by, before images and videos of the scene were posted on social media.
Her message quickly went viral, fuelled by reposts from prominent online figures. The post drew thousands of reactions and spurred heated debate about safety, GBVF, double standards and freedom of expression.
The university, one day later, issued an official statement distancing itself from the message.
The university said it was responding to “a widely circulated social media post depicting an individual holding protest placards with offensive and provocative language directed at men”.
The message in the image did not reflect the institution’s values, ethos, or institutional position, UFS said.
UFS said it remained committed to “fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment” for all students and staff.
It urged “responsible engagement” on social media and respect for the diverse voices that make up the university community.
Some social media users questioned the intent behind the statement, others said the university would have responded differently if a male student had targeted women in similar terms.
One student wrote: “I’m cool with no action being taken against her. I don’t understand why she was reported in the first place. But I can’t shake off the feeling that the university would have immediately suspended her if she were a man [with a placard saying ‘All Women Must Die’] and hauled him before a feminist kangaroo court and ultimately expelled him.”
On campus, some students described the incident as “deeply unsettling”.
Several called for an apology from the protester.
Some male students said the message made them feel unsafe, adding it was “alarming” that someone “hates men to an extent of wishing them death”.
Student Lehlohonolo Edward, wrote: “UFS must take action against this girl, either she leaves the university or we as men will leave the university or kanjani gents?”
Other students accused the protester of being under the influence of “substances” during the demonstration, saying she should be disciplined.
Not all respondents called for disciplinary action. Some urged restraint, with a faction of students rallying behind the protester under the slogan “hands off Michelle and her education”.
The student, known online as Michelle InPink, has publicly acknowledged the backlash and said many students had signed a petition calling for her suspension or deregistration.
She wrote: “At this point, since they’re so hell bent on even signing petitions to get me deregistered at the university, I’m at peace and well prepared for whatever ‘consequence’ that university might decide to take towards me. I need my degree, yes of course I do, but I’m still young and it won’t be the end of me.”
She added that one institution should not have the power to define her entire future, and accused the university of inconsistency in how it responded to harm.
“If anything, this situation will have exposed them exactly for who they are, an institution that turns a blind eye to rapists and abusers but draws the line at a harmless board. I’ll continue fighting for what is right. I will not be intimidated into silence because men are destroying lives every single day, and if my voice unsettles people who enable or excuse it, then so be it.”
INSIDE EDUCATION