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07 August 2019 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Francis Petersen, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, William Bulwane and Min Thoko Didiza
Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor; Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Rector: Institutional Change, Student Affairs, and Community Engagement; Mr Kwekwe William Bulwane, Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Ms Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, who presented the 2019 Charlotte Maxeke public lecture.

“This work is not for yourselves. Kill that spirit of self. Do not live above your people. Live with them.” 
These famous words by Charlotte Maxeke, one of South Africa’s leading academic and social pioneers, formed the thrust of Minister Thoko Didiza's public lecture in a packed Equitas Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, three days before South Africans celebrate Woman’s Day.

The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister urged her audience to heed the “rich lessons this remarkable woman holds for our generation today”, in a lecture with the topic: Feminist Leadership, Intergenerational Dialogue on Knowledge, Agriculture and Sustainable Futures.

Educational pioneer

Referring to Maxeke’s many academic and cultural achievements, Minister Didiza pointed out that, “Her educational achievements did not make her see her fellow Africans any differently. It made her want to change their lives for the better.”
She called Maxeke a “true feminist, with an inclusive vision to fight for the betterment of all South Africans”.

This was echoed by Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in his welcoming address. He singled out the fact that Maxeke used to spend long hours tutoring her less skilled classmates while still at school.
“This wonderful example of using your own knowledge to make a real impact in the lives of others, is something we at the University of the Free State truly salute,” he said.  

Women’s conversation on land

On the topic of land reform, Minister Didiza referred to the fact that countries all over the world were involved in a ‘continuous process’ of land reform. She appealed to all South Africans to get involved in dialogues around the land issue.
“I know the pain and the cries of African people when it relates to land. But I don’t hear the cries and concerns of our white compatriots. Because until we understand each other’s pain, we will never be able to navigate the future.”
Minister Didiza then called for a ‘women’s conversation on land’, as she believed women to be ‘calmer’ than men and more inclined to collaborate with and listen to one another on an issue that is vital to all South African communities. 

Knowledge should lead to action

Minister Didiza said she believed universities had an important role to play in “gaining collective knowledge to solve problems”, and that agriculture should be a key focus area here – “benefitting from innovations in other sectors”.
“We need to urgently revitalise agriculture to once again bring glory to the Free State,” she said.
 “Knowledge means nothing if not translated into action and solutions for the problems we face in South Africa,” she concluded.

The Charlotte Maxeke lecture has been presented annually since 2009. Previous speakers include Minister Angie Motshekga, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize and Dr Frene Ginwala.
 
Who was Charlotte Maxeke?

The CMM Institute describes her in this way:
“Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke (1871–1919) was a pioneering South African woman who was passionate about inclusivity, education and evangelism. She grasped every opportunity presented to her and accomplished many notable firsts during her lifetime.”
These ‘firsts’ include:
- being the first black woman in South Africa to obtain a BSc degree (at Wilberforce University in the United States of America in 1901);
- being the first woman to participate in the King’s Courts under King Sabata Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu;
- being the first African woman to establish a school (in Evaton, with her husband, in 1908);
- being the only woman who attended and contributed to the first African National Congress (ANC) conference in 1912; and
- being the co-initiator, organiser, and first President of the Bantu Women’s League, founded in 1918.

News Archive

Clarification of charges against the Reitz students
2009-10-24

Statement by Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS)

The University of the Free State (UFS) has not “withdrawn charges” against the four Reitz students. This needs to be clarified.

There are three processes underway, and they must not be confused:

  1. 1. The criminal charges against the students were laid by the Directorate of Special Prosecutions in the province, and the university has no say over those processes in the criminal courts. That process remains in place.

  2. The human rights charges are led by the Human Rights Commission, in the province, and the university has no say over those processes in the equality court. That process remains in place.

  3. The university simply withdrew its own complaint against the students, insofar as university processes are concerned, and on that basis decided to invite the students back to continue their studies and to re-open Reitz as a model of social justice and racial reconciliation as an exemplary university residence. These decisions alone fall within the realm of the university’s authority.

The decision with respect to the withdrawal of the university’s complaint against the students was based on two considerations:

a. the institution’s own accountability for what happened, and creating (or not interrupting) the conditions under which racism and racist attacks were even possible on the campus of an institution of higher learning. It is in this context that the institution has decided to offer reparations for harm to the dignity and esteem of the five workers.

b. the institution’s desire to create the conditions for racial reconciliation on a deeply divided campus, and in doing so to accelerate the chances of transformation at the UFS.

There were broad consultations with the Human Rights Commission, Cosatu provincial, Sasco, Nehawu as representatives of the workers; there were also discussions with the leadership of the Student Representative Council (SRC) about the need to resolve the Reitz issue outside of the courts; and the matter of Reitz and its resolution through negotiation was also raised with the Minister of Higher Education and Training. There were also meetings with the legal representatives of both the students and the provincial prosecuting authority.

There was a meeting with the workers to ensure them of the university’s full support for them as workers, but the case itself was only discussed with their representatives, Nehawu.

Sasco National has communicated a message of support to the university to return the two students and to re-open the Reitz residence.

 

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
19 October 2009

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