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16 May 2022
An image of Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha’s book, I am a Man
The University of the Free State (UFS) Sasol Library, in collaboration with the Office for International Affairs, invites you to the launch of a book by Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, titled I am a man.  In this book, he explains his complex relationship with masculinity, fatherhood, and identity. 

Date: 18 May 2022
Time: 17:00-18:30
Venue: UFS Sasol Library – Level 2

About the author

Dr Jerry Mofokeng
On 28 June 2019, Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree from the University of the Free State (UFS) for his commitment to scholarship and his service to humanity.

Dr Makhetha is an iconic and award-winning South African actor who has appeared in several critically acclaimed films, including Cry, the Beloved Country; Lord of War; Mandela and de Klerk; and the 2005 Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi.  Dr Mofokeng studied at Wits Drama School where he initially majored in Acting, and later went on to study at Columbia University in America, where he obtained his master's degree in Theatre Directing.


About the book:
Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha always felt like an outsider in his family. At the age of 58, he discovers who his real father is. Suddenly his search for identity makes sense. He gives us a glimpse into his family life – his love for his wife and kids, as well as tracing the highlights and disappointments of his career. Along the way, he learns some very important lessons about manhood. This is a memoir, but also a challenge to South African men to live out their masculinity in a responsible way.

News Archive

Kovsies hoist the rainbow flag to show support for International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
2015-05-25

Photo: Lihlumelo Toyana

Kovsies reaffirm diverse expressions of love  (Facebook video clip)

Transformation is not about black or white anymore, it's about including different diversities (Facebook video clip)

 

 

Violence and discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) community is rife in South Africa. Advancing the spirit of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Human Project, Out@Kovsies and the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) showed their true colours by hoisting the rainbow flag in front of the Main Building on the Bloemfontein Campus.

International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

This event was in anticipation of International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrated on Sunday 17 May 2015. People across the world, regardless of their sexual orientation, come together annually on this day in support of the LGBTI community. This year, Kovsies became part of that global community when, for the first time in history, the rainbow flag –  a popular symbol of LGBTI pride – fluttered high over the Red Square.
 
Human embrace

Committed to the human embrace, this event was another decisive step towards true transformation. “Transformation is not about black or white anymore,” said Zanele Thela, coordinator and guardian of Out@Kovsies, during the event. “It’s about including different diversities, different sexual orientations.”

Laura-Jane Watkins, research assistant at the IRSJ, said that this day “reflects our attitude as a collective community to embrace difference. Today is a day that we reaffirm diverse expressions of love beyond societal perceptions of gender as an inherent human need and right. Let us now stand together as a student community to promote the value of humanness.”

Rainbow flag

The rainbow flag, also fondly known as the freedom flag, was designed by civil rights activist, Gilbert Baker, and was hoisted publically on 25 June 1978. The modern version of the flag consists of six colours, each with a specific meaning. Red stands for life, orange for healing, yellow depicts sunlight, green stands for nature, blue for serenity, and violet for spirit.

The hope that Thela holds is for everyone to be free to express themselves and their love for one another, because “that’s the one thing we all have in common: love”.

 

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