When asked how a doek makes them feel, one student shared this heartfelt piece:
"O, fairest vision, if mine eyes could contain the world's resplendent beauty in one gaze, I'd weave the ebony tresses in designs of Africa's ancient art, in intricate lines. And for thy skin, so radiant and divine, I'd choose the finest fabrics, soft and kind. Then, behold! The culmination of my toil shall mark the dawn of grandeur, not the soil. Thy doek, a crown, tightly wound around, thy smile, a beacon, shining without bound. And thus, Africa's splendour, in thee, I'd find, a treasure trove of wonder, to entwine."
The recent Wear a Doek Day initiative, hosted by the Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) UFS student Action Learning Group at the University of the Free State (UFS), saw students proudly wearing their doeks in a display of strength, confidence, and heritage.
Strength, confidence, and empowerment
According to Gernus Terblanche, Assistant Researcher and Head of the Engaged Scholarship Office in Student Affairs, this event is part of the #KovsiesCare GBV campaign, which uses the doek as a symbol of empowerment. Students submitted pictures and stories reflecting how the doek made them feel, and everyone was encouraged to wear one on the day. Terblanche explained that the goals of the event were advocacy, education, and empowerment, with various university offices in attendance to support and inform students about available resources.
Attending offices included Peer Mentorship, Gateway First-year Orientation, the HIV Office, Student Counselling and Development, CUADS, Protection Services, and Students for Law and Social Justice. The Mina Foundation also participated, educating students about menstrual cups and generously donating them to those in need.
Terblanche shared, “We wanted to also have students celebrate heritage in a unique manner and chose the doek as a symbol for this. We wanted the students to make use of the doek to feel strong and empowered.”
He believes that they have succeeded in their efforts. Students used the opportunity to wear their doeks and to engage with the different offices. “The event gave students an overview of what is happening on campus, but it also created a sense of belonging and a sense of pride in students if they can share their story, live out their heritage, or share their art forms with others.”
One student shared, “The doek makes me feel strong, gorgeous, and confident. It's not just a piece of fabric; it represents strength, tenacity, and self-expression. When I wear it, I feel a warmth and contentment that is difficult to describe. It's like a soothing hug that wraps around my soul, reminding me of my value and uniqueness.”
To celebrate Heritage Day, several of the university’s student artists shared their art forms with the students in attendance.
Learning from one another
The #KovsiesCare campaign promotes care and social justice, creating student communities where conversations are sparked and where students take ownership of their experiences. “The programme aims to create social learning communities where students can start to solve real-world issues that are important to them,” he remarked.
Going forward, Terblanche says he would like to see increased collaboration and teamwork by involving more offices at the university, including student organisations, associations, and community partners. “The hope is for this event to expand into having more conversations and also to learn from each other and to grow the communities of care within the UFS and surrounding communities.”