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Champion woman helps communal wool growers excel

06 August 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

foto 4 — Carien Denner will tell her 15-year-old self to drink more water, use more sunscreen, and to be present in the moment to not miss out on a single opportunity.

The Ruforum Wool project strives to ensure sustainable growth for communal wool farmers in the Free State by enabling them to compete in wool quality with commercial wool farmers through end-to-end development of the wool value chain. In this project, small-scale wool farmers and community members are identified and invited to take part in the project where they learn various skills in each component of the wool value chain. As a result, production by the communal wool growers is transformed from an underachieving enterprise to a profitable, sustainable, and renewable venture that will enhance the livelihoods of wool producers in the community.

An interview with Carien Denner, Project Manager in the Department of Consumer Science at the University of the Free State (UFS), revealed that there is more to this woman who is working hard to enhance the livelihoods of communities.

Please tell us about yourself: Who are you, and what do you do?

“I am involved in the Community Gardens Food Security project, as well as the Ruforum Wool project. With the latter project, I serve on the management team that was established to commercialise wool production in the communal areas of the province by developing strategies to overcome the various challenges faced by these growers.”

Is there a woman who inspires you and who you would like to celebrate this Women’s Month? Why?

“My mother, a teacher for more than 43 years, epitomises my idea of a dynamic woman being kind, encouraging, truthful, fun, strong, selfless, and brave through everything that life has thrown at her. I believe that a mother’s love and sacrifices are what makes us as women dynamic – each in her own right.”

What are some of the challenges you have faced in your life that have made you a better woman?

“When my dad passed away (I was 12 years old), I saw my mom being an ironwoman who never gave up and never got tired. Instead, she showed us what courage looks like and set an amazing example of strength and perseverance for my brother and me.”

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

“This is not a good question to ask someone in the middle of a pandemic! I would tell myself to appreciate every day for what it is and not to stress about the future too much.

What would you say makes you a champion woman [of the UFS]?

“I think a champion woman is someone who – especially during these trying times – supports, empowers, and uplifts her fellow man. The Ruforum Wool project and everyone who is involved in it is doing precisely that. We need to empower, uplift, and encourage our emerging farmers to restore dignity and ensure sustainability in agriculture, food production, and their general participation in the economy. Communities surrounding them are equally in need of sustainable employment opportunities where valuable skills can be learned in order to provide for themselves and their families. This is what we strive to do to make a meaningful difference through our efforts.”

WATCH: Carien Denner from the UFS Department of Consumer Sciences serves on the management team of the Community Gardens Food Security project as well as the Ruforum Wool project, where she strives to enhance the livelihoods of communities.

News Archive

Top matriculants for Kovsies

2014-01-24

From left are: Saneliswe Khambule, Lungile Mkhungo, Jannie de Wet, Anje Venter, Siqiniseko Buthelezi and Abrille Beukes.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Hailing from top schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Naushad Mayat, Lungile Mkhungo and Siqiniseko Buthelezi share 20 distinctions between them. Leaving the province of the Zulu Kingdom for Bloemfontein, all three are at Kovsies to study as doctors.

Naushad obtained eight distinctions, an achievement that placed him in the top ten matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal. The former learner from Glenwood High School in Durban came fourth in the Umlazi District and tenth overall in the province. Enrolling for a degree in Medicine, he will join the list of outstanding health professionals Kovsies produce every year.

Lungile, who matriculated from Kingsway High School, attained seven distinctions and her average percentage was 90%. She received distinctions in English – 90%, IsiZulu – 94%, Mathematics – 83%, History – 92%, Physics – 89%, Life Sciences – 89% and Life Orientation – 93%. Lungile is not only clever, but also performed well in sports at her school, participating in netball, soccer and athletics. This future doctor is a proud resident of Wag-'n-Bietjie residence.

Siqiniseko made history at his school, Maritzburg College, becoming the first black Head Prefect at the 150-year-old school, the oldest boys' high school in KZN and one of the oldest schools in South Africa. A gifted learner excelling in sport, culture and academics, Siqiniseko obtained five distinctions (English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Accounting and Life Sciences). His sporting prowess has seen him captaining Maritzburg College's first rugby team, as well as the KZN Academy team.

The three are joined by fellow KwaZulu-Natal resident, Saneliswe Khambule, Namibian Abrille Beukes and Free Staters Anje Venter and Jannie de Wet.

Saneliswe, a former learner of Menzi High School in Umlazi, received five distinctions in her final-year exams. The Emily Hobhouse resident registered for a Forensic Science degree and plans on doing her doctoral studies in this exciting career field.

Abrille Beukes is another future doctor and is all the way from Windhoek in Namibia. Abrille obtained a ‘one’ in all her subjects, the highest possible mark in the Namibian school system. The Windhoek-born student received high levels in Mathematics, Accounting, Physical Science, Biology, Afrikaans and English. As second best student in her home country, she will register for a Medicine degree.

Anja, the Free State’s top achiever, received an average percentage of 93% in the matric final exams. The former Eunice student obtained nine distinctions, an achievement that placed her in the national top 100 matriculants. Anja enrolled for a BSc Actuarial Science degree and will be joined in class by former school friend, Jannie de Wet, who obtained a whopping ten distinctions. Jannie and Anja attended Universitas Primary School together, with Jannie finishing his school career at Jim Fouché High School, and just like Anja, he will also enrol for a BSc Actuarial Science degree.

Jannie obtained distinctions in Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Mathematics (third paper), Life Orientation, Accounting, Physical Science, Life Science, Economics and Information Technology. Jannie is also the Volksblad and the University of the Free State’s 2013 Matriculant of the Year.

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