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27 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Sonia Small
Lacea Loader, an award-winning communications professional.

Lacea Loader is an award-winning communications professional who heads the UFS Department of Communication and Marketing as Director. She works with a multi-talented team that takes care of all aspects of corporate communication and marketing at the UFS. 

What is the best thing about your job?
Having a portfolio that is ever-changing and that provides me with a broad perspective of the university’s business, which is enriching and insightful. Most of all, I enjoy the people I work with in every area of my job. In general, I stand amazed at the commitment and dedication of our staff, especially during the national lockdown. It has been encouraging to experience how my team has grown and developed their skills and transitioned to the virtual workspace during this time.  

What is the best and worst decisions you have ever made?
I learn from every decision, whether it has a good or challenging impact on my life. Marrying my best friend from school and raising two beautiful, strong, and independent children are the best decisions I could have made.

What was/is the biggest challenge of your career?
The balancing act. Balancing work life and personal life; this remains a challenge throughout my career. I am trying, but I still don’t get it right!

What does the word woman mean to you?
Being able to be powerful and assertive, yet kind, gentle, compassionate, vulnerable, and understanding at the same time. 

Which woman inspires you, and why?
I work with a team of exceptional women leaders who inspire me every day. Many women at our university have reached incredible heights and put the institution on the national and international stage with their achievements. I salute all my women colleagues in whatever role they play. Also, my involvement with professional organisations and international awards programmes has given me the opportunity to work with so many women across the world in the field of communication and marketing who are making a difference in our profession. 

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?
Grab the opportunities that may come your way, and always think of ways to enrich yourself personally and as a professional. Remember that your character is like a tree and your reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what others think of you; the tree is the real you.

What is the one self-care thing that you do? 
I make time to drink tea, and lots of it! Walking with my husband, spending time with my family and friends, camping and enjoying nature are some of my favourite things.

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?
My intuition and sixth sense, positive mindset, and deep belief that nothing will get me down. If you ask my children, they will say it is my work ethic – as it inspires them in their studies, my kind heart, and my resilience. 
 
I cannot live without … my music playlist and a good night’s sleep.
My secret weapon is … knowing when to pause and to take time out.
I always have … a plan B.
I will never … jump from anything higher than five times my length.
I hope … to visit Easter Island, Alaska, and Norway.

News Archive

Head of SA Witness Protection Programme pays UFS a visit
2010-05-04

 
Receiving the Head of the South African Witness Protection Programme are, in front: Prof. Hennie Oosthuizen, Head of the Department of Criminal and Medical Law at the UFS; back: Adv. Beatri Kruger from the UFS Unit for Children’s Rights, Ms Lani Opperman, Member of the Free State Human Trafficking Forum (FHF), Adv. John Welch, Head of the Witness Protection Programme in South Africa; and Lene van Zyl, a LLM student at the UFS who is doing her thesis on human trafficking in body parts.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs


Recently Adv. Beatri Kruger from the Unit for Children’s Rights in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) invited Adv. John Welch, Head of the Witness Protection Programme in South Africa, to address the Free State Human Trafficking Forum (FHF) on the safe-keeping of victims who are witnesses against human traffickers.

Human trafficking is prevalent in the Free State, especially in Bloemfontein. The Unit for Children’s Rights is one of the founding members of the FHF that was established to take action against and fight the disturbing reality of human trafficking more efficiently.

According to Adv. Kruger the FHF identified the problem of trafficked witnesses being threatened by human trafficker syndicates.

Adv. Welch made some suggestions with regard to the safe-keeping of trafficked victims. He also, with some of the forum members, paid a visit to the areas in Bloemfontein where human trafficking is prevalent as well as to the local shelter for trafficked victims.

Adv. Welch undertook to join forces with the FHF in assisting trafficked victims and the local Witness Protection Programme Office is now a member of the forum.

Since December 2009 members of the FHF managed to disrupt the work of the human trafficking syndicates. “The traffickers have not stopped this inhumane practice but there are indications that they have moved to other buildings in the inner city and even to houses in the suburbs. It was reported to the forum that approximately 27 males suspected of being involved in human trafficking had been arrested, and since they are illegal in the country, they were deported to their countries of origin,” said Adv. Kruger.

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