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24 August 2020 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Supplied
Lebohang Masoabi believes she is a champion woman as she commits her time to nurture other champions.

Growing up with an inferiority complex has taught Lebohang Masoabi to flourish in her adult life. She credits former Vice-Chairperson of the University of the Free State’s Council, Dr Nthabeleng Rammile, as a woman who continues to inspire her. She recently won an Innovation in Learning and Teaching award during the Qwaqwa Campus Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Excellence in Learning and Teaching Awards. 

She has just completed her MCom degree in Business Management, focusing on the role of entrepreneurial education on attitudes and intentions of university students. 

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

My name is Lebohang Masoabi. I am a Lecturer in the Department of Business Management at the University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus. My areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, entrepreneurship and marketing.

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

Dr Nthabeleng Rammile. She is intentional and unapologetic about pursuing her destiny. She is a great example of defying limitations. She constantly challenges her abilities. She oozes confidence. But above all, I love how she is passionate about the growth and development of other women, and how she has made it her life’s work to ensure that other women succeed in pursuit of their dreams. 

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

Self-esteem issues: I had to learn to love myself and believe in myself and when I overcame that, I was unstoppable.

Inferiority complex: I was always afraid to express my full potential, wondering if I am worth it compared to others in my professional and personal space. I then realised that I am not weak, I am not vulnerable, I am not a damsel in distress. The day I realised my full potential as a woman, I flourished.

 

I had to learn to love myself and believe in myself and when I overcame that, I was unstoppable.

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

• You are worth more than you think.
• Not everyone is going to like you, and that is fine.
• Be brave and do what scares you.
• Be kind to yourself.
• Forgive quickly, move on quickly.
• The girls who did not like you then, want to be you now!
• Learn to breathe through the tough moments, it’s not the end of the world.

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

For the past four years on our campus, I have committed my time and energy to mentor students who are in quest of their professional and personal development, some of whom have launched their careers and have become champions in their own spaces.

So, my answer to this question is that what makes me a champion woman of the UFS is the fact that I nurture other champions!

 


News Archive

South Campus first in SA to introduce new online platform for educators
2016-05-25

Description: South Campus online platform for educators  Tags: South Campus online platform for educators

Dr Whitty Green (DHET), Phillip Dikgomo (NDBE), Ernst Stals (Free State Department of Education), Isaac Mogotsi (Nothern Cape Department of Education), Tsatsi Montso (Free State Department of Education), Prof Daniella Coetzee (Principal: South Campus), Steven Bailey (Academic Partnerships), and Prof Judy Zimny (Academic Partnerships)
Photo: Eugene Seegers

The South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) has become the first in South Africa to introduce a completely online platform for educators to obtain the Advanced Certificate in Teaching (ACT) in either Foundation, Intermediate, or Senior Phase.

Beginning with the first start date of 4 July 2016, this platform will be offered in nine or ten 8-week sessions. It will provide educators the opportunity to complete these certificates in 18-20 months compared to the 24 months usually required by part-time university students.  Academic and technological support will also be provided.

Unique platform

Prof Daniella Coetzee, Principal of South Campus, said that she is thrilled, “as this opportunity for educators to earn a qualification 100% online - is a first for both the UFS and South Africa.”  This opportunity represents tremendous strides in providing options for South African educators.

According to Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, human connectivity is a key component of education: “We should never reduce education to a stranger at a distance without any human interaction. That is also why the UFS has been consistent in promoting not only its Academic Project, but the Human Project as well.” He said that it would not be possible to extend second-chance opportunities to students without partnerships with government, non-profit organisations, local and international academic partners, and other external stakeholders.

Specific challenges addressed

In her presentation, Prof Judy Zimny, who is affiliated with Academic Partnerships (a company that has supported more than 40 universities in providing high-quality online programmes for educators) aligned a number of the challenges described by South African leaders in supporting educators with opportunities now available through online education as a result of recent strides in learning technologies.

Various members of the national education sector were also present at the workshop to give their input: Isaac Mogotsi (Northern Cape Department of Education), Phillip Dikgomo (National Department of Basic Education - NDBE), Dr Whitty Green (Department of Higher Education and Training - DHET), Tsatsi Montso (Free State Department of Education), and Ernst Stals (Free State Department of Education).

For educators interested in pursuing an Advanced Teaching Certificate (ACT), the website will soon be populated with all admission and enrolment information for programmes starting on 4 July 2016, 29 August 2016, and 24 October 2016.

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