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11 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Supplied
Leading a happy and productive workplace - Susan van Jaarsveld

Susan van Jaarsveld is the Senior Director: Human Resources at the University of the Free State. Since the HR department is the ‘go-to person’ for all employee-related matters, her duties involve managing activities such as recruitment and selection, employee relations, performance management, training and development, and talent management. “As the employees are the most important asset, we have to ensure a happy and productive workplace,” she explains. 

What is the best thing about your job?
You always move between what is good for the UFS and what is good for the employees, and you have to build that bridge and find a good balance. The best part is that you can really make a difference – for an employee or a team – by helping them to let their (hidden) talents come to life and helping them realise their dreams.

What is the best and worst decision you have ever made?
Two of the best decisions I ever made were to have my two amazing children. They have enriched my life and I cannot imagine a world without them in it. I made many bad decisions, but I choose not to dwell on those. In hindsight, many of these bad decisions taught me valuable life lessons and also led me to wonderful new opportunities.

What was/is the biggest challenge of your career?
The biggest challenge throughout my career was to balance my work and home life. This is certainly a challenge that many people, especially women, can relate to. It means constantly feeling guilty. When I was at work, I felt guilty that I’m missing out on important parts of my children’s lives, and I felt guilty when I was spending time with my family and not working. My children are both grown-up now and maintaining a balance between my home and work life has become easier.

What does the word woman mean to you?
Being a woman is complicated, multi-faceted, and often unfair. Womanhood is about strength, love, and compassion; a human being who can be powerful and assertive and kind at the same time.

Which woman inspires you, and why?
I am inspired by South African women, the single mothers who raise their children in difficult circumstances, the ones who make ends meet every day, the CEOs who manage big companies successfully, the ones who are battered and bruised by life and other people but still keep going, the health workers who are carrying us through this COVID-19 pandemic, the ones who stand up against injustice and say, ‘when you strike a woman, you strike a rock’.

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?
You are enough! Relax and enjoy life to the fullest.

What is the one self-care thing that you do? 
I exercise regularly, it helps me to stay healthy in body and mind.

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?
I choose to be positive, fair, and caring in everything I do. It is a privilege to be part of the UFS, where I strive to continuously improve the institutional culture, together with a very supporting and competent team. Care (commitment, attraction, retention, excellence) is the acronym that best describes the vision of the HR team; we care and incorporate this into every initiative we undertake. 

News Archive

University grooms future leaders
2013-02-28

Nangamso Koza, volunteers and learners who participated in the RCL training programme.
Photo: Linda Fekisi
28 February 2013

The UFS recently hosted a group of Representative Council of Learners (RCL) from 24 high schools in the Free State. The learners participated in a RCL training programme, the first of its kind, which will take place on a quarterly basis.

The learners were welcomed by Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university. Prof Jansen emphasised the need for academic excellence in his welcoming speech, telling learners not to settle for a pass rate of 30%. He motivated them to study hard in order to reap rewards, regardless of their disadvantaged backgrounds. He told them about first-year student, Zandile Kwela and others, who excelled in the 2012 matric exams despite disadvantaged backgrounds.

Nangamso Koza, Research Assistant in the office of the Vice-Rector: External Relations, who helped to coordinate the programme, said leadership development is vital, as early as the basic education phase. “The objective was to offer the RCL some of the skills and knowledge we have, to enable them to dream out of the box."

Mr Pura Mgolombane, Assistant-Dean of Student Affairs, shared what student leadership is all about, the values that a leader needs to have and the relevant constitutional documentation and acts they need to know.

Madineo Mofokeng, an RCL member from Excelsior Combined School, describes her experience as a great one. “I learnt many things that will help me improve my school. I also learnt that by believing in yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to,” she added.


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