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27 August 2018 Photo Sonia Small
Prof Thuli Madonsela persuades women to pursue their purpose
Discovering that she was “pretty” for her purpose gave Prof-Adv Thuli Madonsela’s life direction.

What does embracing womanhood mean? For Prof Thuli Madonsela it is about loving yourself and whatever you believe is your purpose in life. 

“All of us are designed for our purpose and are fit for our purpose, you should embrace that and make the best of it,” said South Africa’s former Public Protector in her keynote address to the Women’s Breakfast. In commemoration of Women’s Month, the University of the Free State (UFS)’s Employee Wellness Division hosted the annual event on 21 August 2018 where 900 women gathered under the theme: ‘Embrace your womanhood.’ 

Being a woman today


Law Professor and Law Trust Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, Prof Madonsela, urged the audience to look beyond the exterior and recognise “that we as individuals have a lot in common”. Speaking of unity in diversity, she praised some of the giants on whose shoulders modern women stand, such as Charlotte Maxeke, Olive Schreiner, Una Wookey, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Helen Joseph, Pam Golding, Bessie Head, and Ellen Khuzwayo.

These leaders are the epitome of following the purpose of “embracing everyone’s humanity and challenging things that diminish the humanity of others”, according to Prof Madonsela.

Remaining resilient and resolute 

Despite having to contend with a patriarchal system and face challenges such as gender-based violence, femicide, poverty, inequity, media stereotypes, as well as poverty, women continue to rise. Prof Madonsela called for women to capitalise on positives such as freedom and possessing a certain degree of power, legal equality, playing a role in political spaces, economic progress, and owning a public voice.

Drawing inspiration from her humble beginnings and the lessons learnt in leadership, Prof Madonsela conveyed a simple message to all women: “You are exactly as you should be. You are a perfect expression of your creator’s magnificence. You were created for a purpose and whatever you do, just step up and pursue your purpose.”

A word from an inspired woman

It was a memorable event for Burneline Kaars, Head of Employee Wellness. “This year it was an honour to host Prof Madonsela who could share both her academic background and professional experience. She accomplished this by skilfully incorporating lessons from our country’s history and her passion for justice,” she said.

News Archive

UFS Drama Department production exempted at ABSA KKNK
2006-04-19

 Lecturers and students of the Department Drama & Theatre Arts have taken five productions to the ABSA KKNK 2005. The productions were well received by audiences.

 

The daily newspaper, Die Burger, exempted the classic Molière drama, Ipekonders, which was translated and directed by Nico Luwes. According to the newspaper Gerben Kamper as the hipochonder Argon receives full marks for his performance. “Dis heerlik om te sien en ontdek dat goeie humor ná drie eeue steeds snaaks bly. En dat ’n toeganklike klug ook skerp sosiale kommentaar kan lewer...Volpunte vir Gerben Kamper (as die hipochonder Argon) en sy medespelers. Ons leef vandag nie in ’n minder hipochondriese kultuur nie, en die ‘dr.-God-sindroom’ is nog met ons. Gaan van ons diagnoses en behandelings straks eendag net so lagwekkend wees soos destyds se purgasies, klismas en bloedlatings?”

 

Michelle Luwes’s Daars Vis Innie Punch was well received by audiences. The festival paper, Krit, reported that she tried her best to adapt the book by Jacky Nagtegaal  to a cabaret.

 

The three children’s productions, Hansie en Grietjie, Rooikappie en die Wolf and Cleopatra in Egypt were popular amongst young audiences.

 

 

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