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#WomensMonth: Dr Marinkie Madiope—Singular strength and energy

18 August 2020 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Sonia du Toit/Kaleidoscope Studios

Dr Madiope_read more — Dr Marinkie Madiope looks up to her mother as an inspirational woman.

Dr Maria ‘Marinkie’ Madiope is not your average professional woman. Her academic record speaks of vigilant style and resilient independence. The challenge of discovery, innovation, and stretching herself and everyone around her are qualities she values. The University of the Free State benefits from the extraordinary energy that characterises this woman. She is an infectious team leader, spurring others on to ever-greater heights, and is always on the lookout for something she can do for others: whether it is large-scale advocacy for women or smaller acts of empowerment. She describes herself as an “ever-present mother and sister” to those with whom she works. It is humbling to watch her Ubuntu in action.

Please tell us about yourself

“My academic interests lie in the realm of ICT and curriculum design and development, which is what drew me to working on the South Campus. Open, Distance, and eLearning (ODeL) is also close to my heart, and I have been the editor of Progressio, the only ODeL journal in South Africa, since 2016.

My expertise in eLearning is another of my strengths; I designed the Unisa online ethics course, which was launched in Geneva in 2015 and is currently being offered internationally in collaboration with Ethics SA.

As part of community engagement, I take part in the Africa Crèche Project to empower women. I enjoy working with young minds and little humans to provide them opportunities to which they otherwise would not have access.”

What do you do at the university?

“I am currently the Principal of the South Campus in Bloemfontein. The South Campus is dedicated to delivering quality distance education to sectors of society that would not necessarily have access to higher education. It advances education through ODeL delivery modes.

It is … vital to avoid dwelling on past mistakes, because regret robs you of joy. - Dr Maria Madiope, Principal: UFS South Campus.

“I enjoy the opportunity to transform the Open Distance Learning campus of the UFS to a digitised university. I cannot express the feelings I have when welcoming students to the UFS to unlock their future, or when they graduate. Especially students who have gone through very traumatic home, personal, or academic times. They still succeed, even when others have given up on them.”

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

“I see women as proud warriors — resilient and strong guardians of the future generations. I would encourage a 15-year-old me to be enthusiastic, confident, and authentic. It is also vital to avoid dwelling on past mistakes, because regret robs you of joy. The best decision I ever made was embracing Education and making sure that I was not only certified but learned to empower others in a humble way.”

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

“Although I am also inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem Still I rise, my mother is my biggest inspiration. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked, and she loved everyone. Her greatest strength is her ability to let nothing and no one remove her crown: ‘Strong winds may blow, but a QUEEN will bobby pin that thang in place and persevere because she is more than a conqueror’.”

“I am also inspired by the united force of women from all walks of life who, through a mass demonstration, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956, protesting against the unjust pass laws enforced on women in South Africa. This is in line with the 2020 Women's History Month theme, Valiant Women of the Vote. The theme honours the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others. I SALUTE ALL WOMEN!

Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo / You Strike A Woman, You Strike A Rock!!!!

News Archive

Kovsie artists to rock at Vryfees

2014-06-18

Photo: Conrad Bornman

It is the dead of winter in the heart of the Free State. The Vryfees is laying full steam ahead.

However, the talent that makes of this annual arts festival such a phenomenal success doesn’t only come from outside of our Bloemfontein Campus. This year’s productions will abound with performances by Kovsie staff, students and alumni from our Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

Behind the scenes, our people will also play a vital role in the achievement and progress of the festival. Prof Luwes is a member of the festival committee and together with Dr Venter and Godfrey Manenye, he also serves on the artistic selection committee for theatre.

Thys Heydenrych, lecturer in the above department, was appointed as the technical manager of this year’s Vryfees. This means that he is in charge of the placement and assigning of venues for productions on campus. All the technical aspects for these venues rest on Heydenrych’s shoulders. For this huge task, he is supported by a team of technical staff which includes mostly students.

Take a look at the list of all our Kovsie artists who are working hard to make the 2014 Vryfees better than ever:

Don Juan onder die Boere
Lecturers: Walter Strydom, Gerben Kamper (director),
Students: Mark Dobson, Michael Garbett, Helet de Wet
Former students: Marijda Kamper (Wynand Mouton theatre manager), Ilne Fourie, Hilletje Möller, Chanmari Erasmus, Michelle Hoffman, An-Mari Loots, Madré van Straten

S(t)out en Peper
Lecturers: Dr Pieter Venter (director), Thys Heydenrych
Former students: Ilne Fourie, Michelle Hoffman

Nag van die Hiëna
Head of Department: Prof Nico Luwes (author and director)
Lecturers: Gerben Kamper, Minette Grové
Former students: Carel Nel, Lindy-Lee Kleynhans, Ilne Fourie, Angelo Mockie (staff member at Student Affairs)
Student: Peter Taljaard (PhD student)

Rondomskrik
Former student: Chrystal-Donna Roberts (currently Pasella presenter and previously on the set of 7de Laan)

Slaaf
Former student: Carel Nel

Te Veel vir ? Coloured Girl
Former students: Angelo Mockie (staff member at Student Affairs), Olivie Sauer

The Bar
Lecturer: Godfrey Manenye (director)
Former students: Angela Edwards, Jane Mpholo
Students: Yoliswa Jacobs and Luandro Carstens

Victoria se Geheim
Lecturer: Dr Pieter Venter (director)
Former students: Chanmari Erasmus, Carel Nel, Gené McCaskill, Michelle Hetzel
Students: Helet de Wet, Marli van der Bijl (NRF Magister Intern), Jana Coetzer, Marnel Bester

Een Kleine Lientjie
Lecturer: Walter Strydom
Former student: Anna Visser (author and director, OFM presenter)
Students: Marli van der Bijl, Charl Henning, Jana Coetzer

For more information on the productions or the Vryfees programme, follow this link:
http://www.vryfees.co.za/

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