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31 May 2018 Photo Stephen Collett
Well-known activist delivers 34th DF Malherbe Memorial Lecture
From the left are: Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Acting Vice-Rector; Academics; Prof Aneglique van Niekerk, Head of the Department Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French; Dr Bettina Wyngaard, and Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities.
Read full speech here

The author and lawyer, Bettina Wyngaard, delivered the 34th DF Malherbe memorial lecture with the theme The politics of the mundane. Among others, she spoke about everyday issues such as language, land, and racism. This year’s guest lecture was held on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 17 May. Since 2011, the memorial lecture has been presented every second year.

Wyngaard is also an activist who strives for the rights of women, with a special interest in gender-based violence. Both her BA and LLB degrees were obtained at Stellenbosch University. She now joins a prestigious group of academics who have previously delivered this lecture. Some of the previous guest lecturers include Coenie de Villiers, Prof Jonathan Jansen, former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, and Prof Leopoldt Scholtz.

Racism, Language, Land, and many other topics under discussion 
With the fierce debate around language, especially in higher education, Wyngaard requested the guests to afford her the opportunity to speak in “the language of her heart”, Afrikaans. 

“What I want to do tonight is to share my thoughts on the story of South Africa. In this story, there are certain words that occur regularly, and I want to pause at some of those words,” she said. Regarding racism, she said that every South African had somehow gained a black belt in racial politics. 

“I wish and hope the day will come when we will be able to look beyond skin colour and only see a person with a unique personality.” Another wish is that people will learn each other’s cultures and languages. 

“Language is one of the things we use most to express our uniqueness. Unfortunately, it is becoming more of a battlefield where we are wounding and trying to kill each other,” she said. 

For Afrikaans-speaking people, the assault on Afrikaans is inconceivably difficult to accept, but Wyngaard poses the question, “How many of us are attempting to acquire language skills in a third or fourth vernacular?” Wyngaard’s statement could be interpreted as a way in which to achieve the ideals of the rainbow nation.

Regarding land and land expropriation, she said farmers and farm workers in her hometown of Grabouw were working hand in hand. “In some cases, they have made the workers shareholders and co-decision-makers in the businesses.”

She concluded by saying: “Archbishop Tutu’s rainbow nation do exist. It is within each of us. It is in each mundane interaction we have with each other every day.” 
She again emphasised that it was time for all South Africans to roll up their sleeves and get to work to do what needs to be done.

News Archive

Exciting open day and Albert Einstein program at Boyden Observatory
2005-05-06

National Science Week, which will be held from 7-14 May 2005, is an annual country-wide celebration of science, led by the Department of Science and Technology.  The department selected a proposal by the Boyden Science Centre to coordinate a week of activities in the Bloemfontein area as one of the many projects in the country.

The project for Bloemfontein and surrounding areas will be delivered though a collaboration between the National Museum in Bloemfontein and the University of the Free State (UFS), including the Research Institute for Education Planning, the Department of Physics and other departments in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

The purpose of National Science Week is:

to create awareness of the important role that science play in people’s daily lives;
to encourage our youth to consider studying and improving their performance in mathematics and science; and
to attract more of our youth into science, engineering and technology (SET) careers.

 

World Year of Physics and Albert Einstein Program at Boyden Observatory

The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) declared the year 2005 as the World Year of Physics (WYP). In recognition of this declaration, the great contribution of Physics to the development of technology, and its importance in our everyday lives will be featured strongly during the National Science Week 2005.

On Saturday 7 May 2005 there will be a public programme at Boyden Observatory from 15:30 as a contribution to the World Year of Physics. The programme will be presented in collaboration with the Bloemfontein branch of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa and will include short presentations on astronomy, space exploration and the sun.

The main presentation will be at 19:00 the evening on the life and work of Albert Einstein. The programme will also include observing sessions through telescopes of objects like the sun, Jupiter and Saturn. There will also be an exhibit on Albert Einstein. Attendance is free but booking is required.  For bookings, phone 051-4012561.

Public lecture programme:

Next week the following exciting public lectures will be presented as part of the Science Week activities:

Monday 9 May 2005 

National Museum:

A discussion on Apocalypse Then: the greatest mass extinction of all time.  The lecture will be presented by Dr Jennifer Botha, Paleontologist at the National Museum.
Bookings: 051-4479609 (entrance is free).

UFS campus:

All lectures at Kine 2, Medical Faculty, UFS campus. Follow directions from the DF Malherbe Road entrance.
Bookings: 051-4012561 (entrance is free).

Tuesday 10 May 2005:

A discussion on the Tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004 at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty).

Wednesday 11 May 2005:

A discussion on Is there life out there? at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty).

Friday 13 May 2005:

A discussion on Hunting Black Holes at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty).  The lecture will be presented by Dr Phil Charles, Director: South African Astronomical Observatory.

Science awareness day at the National museum

The science week will be concluded on Saturday 14 May 2005 with a special Science Awareness Day at the National Museum, Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein. 

The excellent exhibits at the museum will be supplemented with activities, career information and video shows. The duration of the programme will be from 10:00-16:00.  For enquiries, please call 051-4479609.

 

Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel:  (051) 401-2584
   Cell:  083 645 2454
   E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

6 May 2005
 

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