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06 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo André Damons
Nombulelo Shange - Making a positive impact with writing

Nombulelo Shange is a lecturer in Sociology in the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Sociology and one of our top opinion article writers – regularly quoted by the media. She is also currently a PhD candidate in Anthropology, studying a Cape Town community called the ‘mountain doctors’. 

What is the best thing about your job?

I love my students and have missed them so much during this precarious time. 

What is the best and worst decision you have ever made?

Although I loved teaching English in South Korea, I was young and became extremely homesick, so I ended up coming back prematurely – leaving me unemployed for three years. Later, I was accepted by the University of St Andrews in Scotland for my PhD, but in the end, I sadly had to turn that opportunity down because of finances. I regret not pushing harder in both cases. But the thing with mistakes and bad decisions is that they come together to shape your current experiences. I might not be where I am today had I not made those mistakes. The best decision I ever made was leaving the NGO space and returning to academia in 2018; academia is my calling. I love teaching, writing, and theorising.

What does the word woman mean to you?

I think to be a woman means many different things. But at its core, it should mean inclusion and individual and collective acceptance and expression of our differences. 

Which woman inspires you, and why?

There are so many, and they all inspire me in different ways. My mothers, Prof Pearl Sithole, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Beyonce, Patricia Hill Collins, Sisonke Msimang, Makoma Lekalakala, Nonhle Mbuthuma, and Tarana Burke. My friends, my little niece, and all the black women, living and gone – who gave up their lives so that, one day, a girl like me can enjoy certain liberties. 

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

Make mistakes, it’s okay, it won’t be the end of the world. You will learn from them, but just focus on being a kid. Stop hiding in the library behind books; you learn more from life by exploring and living it, not only reading about it. Being an introvert is OK, but don’t let it make you fear people. Being an uncool becomes the new cool later, so you’ll be fine, you’ll be great!

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?

My impact has been in my written work, both within academia and the mainstream media. I research, write, and theorise on a variety of topics, mainly decoloniality, indigenous knowledge, and feminism. I see my place as an emerging scholar and leader in this space not just at the UFS, but also nationally, and eventually internationally.

 

I cannot live without … a fully stocked kitchen; love cooking and baking … hate cleaning up afterwards.
My secret weapon is … kindness; I’ve had so many uncertain or tense situations go well, just because I treated people with kindness before even knowing they would be the ones I need/get help from.
I always have … my cellphone; it makes going through life so much easier, especially as a woman. It is more than just a phone, it is my panic button when I am feeling unsafe, my navigator when I am lost and scared, my bank – and most importantly – my way to connect with loved ones.
I will never … knowingly allow certain privileges I enjoy, being used against others who are more socially disenfranchised than I am.
I hope … to see my family and pet bunny Dash soon, I miss them very much.


News Archive

UFS Alumni Honours three former Students
2006-02-21

Three alumni of the University of the Free State will be awarded the prestigious Kovsie Alumni awards, presented to UFS Alumni annually, on the 10th of March at a Gala Awards Banquet. Alumni of the UFS have chosen Naka Drotské as Kovsie Alumnus for 2005. Harold Verster will receive the Kovsie Alumni Cum Laude Award and Prof Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law, will receive the Kovsie Alumni National Management Award. These prestigious accolades are awarded annually to honour alumni of the UFS for their exceptional achievements and contribution to the UFS.

Naka Drotské has been chosen as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year for the professional manner in which he led the Cheetah rugby team, which played a determining role in the team’s 2005 Currie Cup victory. The Cum Laude Award is made from time to time to any alumnus for outstanding service or achievement at local, national or international level in his/her specific career domain. Verster receives the Award for his role in the inclusion of the Vodacom Cheetahs as Super 14 team, as well as for his leadership that contributed to the success of the Cheetah rugby team in 2005. The Kovsie Alumni National Management Award for Exceptional Service to the UFS is made from time to time to an individual who has rendered exceptional service to the University. Prof Henning will receive this award for his role in the expansion and development of the Faculty of Law as academic, centre head, department head and, especially, as Dean.

Any Kovsie Alumnus is welcome to attend the Kovsie Alumni Gala Award Banquet that will be held in the Reitz Hall of the UFS Centenary complex. Matthys Roets will be the guest artist at the function and the cost of R80 per head includes a three course meal. If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at 051-401-3594 or alumni@mail.uovs.ac.za

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