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23 August 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Albert van Biljon
Rolene Strauss
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,” Rolene Strauss quoted from Galatians 6:4.
“Are you allowing yourself to be measured by society’s version of the perfect woman? Is that woman called ‘Perfect’ stealing your self-confidence, your potential, your joy, and your life? Are you allowing that measuring tape to measure you and tell you you aren’t good enough? I believe that as women it is time to stand up and say: ‘No, Perfect – you can’t steal my self-confidence.’ ”These were the opening words of the University of the Free State (UFS) Women’s Breakfast guest speaker, Rolene Strauss.

The measuring tape called ‘Perfect’

Making reference to her personal experiences from being a little girl with big front teeth and skinny legs, to growing into a teenager and having her waist measured, and going on to becoming a beauty pageant contestant, a wife, and a mother. Strauss shared the many ways she has been subjected to society’s unattainable standards. “That measuring tape suffocated me. I realised that there has to be more to being a woman than constantly trying to be perfect.”

The Kovsie alumna, medical doctor, entrepreneur and title holder of both the 2014 Miss South Africa and Miss World competitions, spoke to 820 women on the Bloemfontein Campus on 22 August 2019.

On coming together to uplift each other

Strauss also stressed the importance of planting the seeds of confidence in one another. “The quality of yourself as a woman depends on the quality of the women around you,” she said.

Susan van Jaarsveld echoed Strauss’s sentiments. In her capacity as Senior Director of the Department of Human Resources, which is the official host of the UFS Women’s Breakfast, Van Jaarsveld extended a warm welcome to our guest speaker. Borrowing the words of the late American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, she reiterated that “women are the real architects of society”.

Paying tribute to women of Kovsies

Some former Kovsies who were also celebrated included Gerda Steyn, winner of the 2019 Two Oceans and Comrades ultramarathons; Madam Justice Mahube Molemela, Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court, Dr Susan Vosloo, South Africa’s first female heart surgeon; Karla Pretorius, player of the 2019 Netball World Cup, Caroline Grace Brüssow, one of South Africa’s top songstresses; and Crystal-Donna Roberts, award- winning actress.

Kovsies continue to walk in the footsteps of excellence to demonstrate respect for the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. In the spirit of honouring women of the past, present, and future, Van Jaarsveld reminded all the guests that they were valuable, powerful, and deserved every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve their dreams.

Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
UFS Women
UFS Women's Breakfast
Staff members attending the UFS Women
Staff members attending the UFS Women's Breakfast
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members
Rolene Strauss with UFS staff members

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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