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18 April 2018 Photo Facebook
Bright future for Two Oceans winner and former Kovsie Gerda Steyn
Gerda Steyn, former Kovsie student and winner of the Two Oceans ultramarathon this year, with her trophy.

Gerda Steyn, female winner of this year’s Two Oceans ultramarathon, says her life has changed for the better in a very short time.

The former Kovsie received an invitation to a world-renowned marathon at the end of the year. She may not reveal the details yet.

Steyn, who studied Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) between 2009 and 2012, was just the third South African to win the Two Oceans since 1994. Her time of 3:39:31 was the second-best in the past seven years. For many she was a surprise winner because she didn’t compete last year and only managed a 14th place in 2016. 

“Things really took off since the race (in Cape Town at the end of March). I received a lot of exposure. People say you must try and win the race, but they don’t tell you what will happen after that with all the media attention.

“My next goal is the Comrades for which I started training in the third week of April. I will only decide on my specific goals for the race two weeks beforehand.” She obtained a fourth place last year.

According to Steyn, who is a full-time athlete, she only did a couple of cross country races while she was studying. 

“I played a bit of soccer and hockey for my hostel (Soetdoring). I have very fond memories from my university days. A couple of our hostel friends had a reunion after the race in Cape Town and had reason to have a big party.”

News Archive

Leeds academic presents a seminar on racism in the UK
2014-07-30

 


Dr Shirley Tate during her seminar on colour-blind racism.
Photo: O'Ryan Heideman

A prominent researcher and academic, Dr Shirley Tate, recently delivered an academic paper – soon to be published – on racism at institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom. The seminar was hosted at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

Dr Tate spoke about colour-blind racism – where racism at an interpersonal level, racial differences and ethnic particularities are overlooked. Colour-blind racism continues to negate the fact that skin colour has consequences in societies where it has been claimed that 'race' no longer matters.

Dr Tate, author of two books, is particularly interested in exploring the intersections of 'raced' and gendered bodies, race performativity, critical mixed race and racism in organisations.

Her talk sparked a lot of interest from both students and staff who were extremely keen to find out more about her extensive research and its striking similarities to our South African experience.

Dr Tate is an Associate Professor in Race and Culture and Director of the Centre for Ethnicity and Racism Studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.


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