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24 July 2018 Photo Charl Devenish
Office dynamo obtains masters in reconciliation- nathlene van wyk
Nathlene van Wyk, Office Manager for the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, at the Winter Graduations in Bloemfontein.
Nathlene van Wyk hails from the rural town of Douglas in the Northern Cape, but this dynamic Office Manager for the Dean: Faculty of Theology and Religion has a knack with people, having obtained her undergraduate and honours degrees in Industrial Psychology. At a graduation ceremony held on 28 June 2018 at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), Nathlene also received her Master’s Degree in Reconciliation and Social Cohesion.

Devoted mother, avid student
Nathlene credits her success to the support system she had within her family. She says: “I would never have been able to complete this degree without the support of my husband, Feris. I spent my Saturdays and Sundays in the office, busy writing and doing assignments while he looked after our two daughters, aged three and five, and made sure everything at home ran smoothly.”

In addition, Nathlene experienced her mother’s loving support. She says: “I have much to be grateful for towards my mom, Maureen Morolong. As a single mother, she went to great lengths to ensure that I gained a good education. On days that things were especially difficult, her prayers and encouragement carried me through. She often repeated the saying: ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.’ This kept me motivated when the days seemed too short and discouragement set in.”

Brimming with pride
Prof Fanie Snyman, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, says of Nathlene’s achievement: “I am immensely proud of Nathlene. To study for a master’s degree while keeping up with a demanding position at the faculty, as well as the responsibilities of being a wife and mother is not easy. The university at large and the faculty in particular are still in a process of transformation and I think the research Nathlene did will benefit us in our efforts to transform the university.”

Nathlene says: “I always had an interest in social and political issues. With continued protest, interracial conflict, inequality and poverty, it became clear to me that 23 years after the dawn of democracy, our country is still very much battling to rid itself of the traumatic legacies of apartheid. For me, this is why the whole notion of reconciliation needs to be rethought and re-evaluated. Completing this degree allowed me to do just that: To critically evaluate our current state of affairs while applying theoretical frameworks that can help us to explain and understand our society better.”

News Archive

Kovsie community pledge to advance equality and eradicate racism
2015-04-15

Photo: Johan Roux

Photo Gallery 
Speech by JC van der Merwe

On Monday 13 April 2015, the University of the Free State drew a line in history. Staff and students united in a singular vision: equality.

Since March 2015, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, together with the SRC, has launched the No-to-Racism/Yes-to-Equality Campaign across all three campuses with tremendous success. This campaign has now reached a high point at which the Kovsie community pledge their commitment to entrenching a culture of equality at the university. The first pledge ceremony took place on 13 April 2015 at the Bloemfontein Campus. Kovsies thronged to place their inked thumbprints on pledge posters in an inspirational show of solidarity.

“The key to transformation,” Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, said, “is putting yourself in the shoes of the other person.” When you look past yourself and acknowledge others’ experiences, the world starts to look different. A pledge, Prof Jansen continued, is a solemn promise – not only to stop bad behaviour, but to go forward resolutely with good behaviour. “You do not change a campus, you do not change a country, without being courageous,” Prof Jansen said.

The message from Mosa Leteane, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), echoed the same belief. “Today,” Leteane said, “the UFS takes a bold and courageous step toward equality.” This new generation, which includes young people from all races, has started a new revolution. A generation that says no to discrimination and yes to equality. “We cannot afford to be ignorant or indifferent,” Leteane urged.

The remaining two campuses will also have an opportunity to publically pledge their support on the following days:
Qwaqwa Campus: Wednesday 15 April 2015
South Campus: Friday 17 April 2015

To enable the university to go beyond dialogues and consultation towards active decision-making, a University Assembly will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2015. The assembly will serve as a space for critical engagement among all university stakeholders to focus on issues such as symbols, policies, practices, and curriculum. Staff and students are encouraged to submit matters for discussion to JC van der Merwe (vdmjc@ufs.ac.za) before 22 April 2015.

The No-to-Racism/Yes-to-Equality Campaign is aligned with the declaration made by the UFS Council in November 2014, in which it states that “the Council of the University of the Free State believes very strongly in the human dignity, equality, and freedom of all people.”

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