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Dr Stephanie Cawood passionate about the women of Africa

13 August 2020 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Charl Devenish

Dr Cawood_read more — Dr Stephanie Cawood has great admiration for two women – her mother and Wagani Maathai. Both strong women from Africa.

Dr Stephanie Cawood from the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies is passionate about the African continent, its people, and especially the women of Africa. As an African studies researcher, Dr Cawood admires a pioneer of feminism in Africa, the late Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to receive a Nobel Prize.

Dr Cawood is trained in communication science and media studies; her field of specialisation is oral communication, particularly rhetoric and oral tradition. She obtained her PhD in 2011 with the thesis titled, The Rhetorical Imprint of Nelson Mandela as Reflected in Public Speeches, 1950-2004.

Some of her most recent research projects include ‘Memorialising Struggle Dynamics of Memory, Space and Power in Post-Liberation Africa’, funded by the British Academy under the Newton Advanced Fellowship.

In the Q&A below, Dr Cawood shares some of her inner thoughts.

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

I am a Senior Lecturer in and Director of the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the UFS. This means that I am engaged in teaching, research, and strategic leadership.

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

There are many women I admire. I find great inspiration in ordinary people doing extraordinary things. On a personal level, my mum has always inspired me. For a long time, she was involved in labour relations; I have always admired her ability to keep calm and to think rationally and strategically in the face of adversity. From a feminist standpoint, I greatly admire the late Nobel peace prize winner, Wangari Maathai. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and the first African woman to win the Nobel peace prize for her environmental, political, and feminist activism. In 1971, she obtained her PhD in Science from the University College of Nairobi when it was not common for women to do so. Her life is testament to the fact that it only takes one person to start a movement and to make a change.

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

I believe you should look to the future rather than get stuck in the past. I try to constantly learn from my experiences so that I don’t repeat mistakes and can learn to anticipate future challenges and circumvent them.

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

Enjoy life and don’t be afraid of thinking independently. It’s a good thing.

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

I’m not afraid of trying new things and thinking and doing things in unique and unconventional ways. I am a firm believer in treating people with humanity and respect and I try to live by this creed, although I’m not always successful. The key is in trying to do better every day.

News Archive

UFS student government elections declared free and fair

2015-09-04

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Video: SRC announced (Bloemfontein Campus)

The 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) elections on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) have been declared free and fair.

The institutional Independent Election Commission Chairperson, Mandla Ndlangamandla, commended the high level of cooperation displayed by all students who participated in the peaceful and organised elections on the Qwaqwa Campus.

“We are proud to indicate that from the beginning of the election process, there were no incidents of intimidation, disruption, threats, and violence that were reported,” he said.

Announcing the election results at Bloemfontein Campus, the representative of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Andrew Ndelele, also confirmed that the commission had ensured that the elections were credible.

Voter turn-out increased at both campuses compared to the previous year. The elections, which took place from Friday 28 August to 1 September 2015, saw 8% and 0.7% increases in votes casted at the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, respectively.

Paseka Sikhosana, President-elect of the Qwaqwa Campus, commended the unity and orderliness displayed by students: “After the polling stations had closed, we came together and sang in peace”.

Incoming SRC President of the Bloemfontein Campus, Lindokuhle Ntuli, also endorsed the impartiality of the elections, while expressing how humbled he was by the support he received during the campaigning period.

Bloemfontein elective portfolios:

Bloemfontein Campus president: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Photo: Johan Roux

President: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Vice-President: Mpho Khati
Secretary: Tsietso Mafaso
Treasurer: Katleho Masheane
Culture: Delia Moumakwe
Sport: Kabelo Elijah Noosi
Transformation: Katleho Mmolayeng Letube
Student Accessibility and Support: Victor Fana Sejane
Media and Marketing: Peo Morwesi Segano
First-generation students: Nicola King
Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Luke Harrold Small
Student Development and Environment: Karabo Pheko

Bloemfontein ex officio portfolios:

Associations Student Council: Sikhulekile Luwaca
Academic Affairs Student Council: Letsika Liqoalane
Campus Residences Student Council: Ingrid Wentzel
Commuter Student Council: Audrey Sithebe
Postgraduate Student Council: Kamogelo Dithebe
International Student Council: Takudzwa Gezi
Student Media Council: Hatsu Mphatsoe
Rag Fundraising Council: Tubatsi Moloi
Rag Community Service Council: Johan Diedericks

Qwaqwa Campus president: Paseka Sikhosane
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Qwaqwa elective portfolios:

President: Paseka Sikhosane
Vice-President: Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary: Nondumiso Langa
Treasurer: Palesa Selepe
Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Lindokuhle Ngubane
Media and Publicity: Bongiwe Buthelezi
Politics and Transformation: Nthabiseng Mokoena

Qwaqwa ex officio portfolios:

Academic Affairs: Edward Nkadimeng
Arts and Culture: Kwenzakwenkosi Mthethwa
Sports Affairs: Thabo Zengele
Rag and Dialogue: Dieketseng Mokoena
Religious Affairs: Mamosebetsi Mokoena
Residence Affairs: Pheletso Moekoa
Off-Campus: Nicholas Sibeko

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