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15 September 2022 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo UFS Photo Gallery
Representatives of the UFS Law Clinic and the Free State Centre for Human Rights
Representatives of the UFS Law Clinic and the Free State Centre for Human Rights recently visited Thaba 'Nchu and Dewetsdorp to empower women by educating them about their Constitutional rights.
With September being Heritage Month, South Africans are reflecting on where we come from. During this time, many look back at how far we have travelled, and how much further we still need to go. 

Gender-based violence, a constant stain on the fabric of our society, means any celebratory moments are tempered by the need to interrogate where we are going wrong. Dr Rita Ozoemena, Senior Lecturer at the Free State Centre for Human Rights (FSCHR), has reminded South Africans that we can take comfort from at least one certainty: “The Constitution is a living heritage of all South Africans that has provided for the protection of all persons, including women’s rights,” she said.

Living traditionally ever after

At a recent community engagement programme the University of the Free State Law Clinic and the FSCHR visited Thaba 'Nchu and Dewetsdorp to empower women by educating them about their rights as protected in the Constitution. Experts explored the theme ‘Women’s Rights and Customary Law Marriages’.

Having a living heritage in the form of the Constitution gives a voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless, the audience heard. In the case of customary law, Dr Ozoemena said, “Lobola forms part of the conclusion of a customary marriage. The ‘handing over’ of a bride is an aspect of custom and practice. Young girls under the age of 18 cannot be married under customary law.” 

She added that women of legal age who wish to live ‘traditionally ever after’ need to “ensure that their marriage complies with the requirements set out in Section 3 of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, and also make certain that the customary marriage is registered with the Department of Home Affairs to avoid unintended consequences.”

Customary law is our heritage

On 27 and 28 October 2022 the FSCHR will host a conference titled ‘African Customary Law and Transformation: Towards a Gender Responsive Approach’. Since African customary law is an integral part of the post-1994 South African legal system, the conference will focus on the South African transformation project and how it has influenced the development of African customary law in marriage.  

Robust discussions will hone in on topics around feminist jurisprudence in African customary law; customary marriage in South Africa and its future; the role of rituals in customary law; gender equality and African customary law; and women and traditional leadership.

News Archive

Three OSM students selected for the 2013 World Youth Symphony Orchestra
2013-01-25


Carmi Nel
Elsabe Raath

Maja van Dyk

25 January 2013

Three students from the University of the Free State’s Odeion School of Music (OSM) have proved their mettle. Carmi Viljoen (violin), Elsabé Raath (viola) and Maja van Dyk (viola), have been accepted into the prestigious World Youth Orchestra – an orchestra known worldwide for its quality and the prix de corps itadvances between nations.

Musica Europa, an Italian cultural association, founded the World Youth Orchestra (WYO) in its present guise in 2001. It has close ties with UNICEF and its mission is to combine music with social activities from cultures all over to world in order to enrich the cultural life of all.

Rigorous auditions are held which require applicants to upload video recordings onto a website (Vimeo). An international board of adjudicators subsequently listens to these recordings and select the best.The three OSM students were good enough to make the grade.

These three musicians are also members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the MIAGI orchestra that toured Europe successfully last year. They are also outstanding chamber musicians. Carmi and Elsabé, as members of the Junior Odeion String Quartet, have shown that they are on par with international standards and have toured The Netherlands. In 2012, Maja van Dyk had been selected to perform as soloist with the National Youth String Orchestra under the baton of Swedish conductor and violinist, Fredrik Burstedt.

They first heard of the possibility of playing for the WYO through Anmari van der Westhuizen, lecturer at the OSM. Margarite Spies from the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) had contacted her in search of worthy candidates. A scant three weeks later, they received the good news of their inclusion.

The orchestra, with representatives from five continents, will be touring South Africa this year and no less than nine South Africans have been included. The tour kicks off in Durban, followed by performances in East London, Plettenberg Bay, George, Knysna, Stellenbosch, with a grand finale in the Cape Town City Hall.

Works that will be performed include ‘’Romeo and Juliet’’ by Prokofiev, the irrepressible “Carnival Overture” by Dvorák, Barber’s ‘’Adagio for Strings’’ and part of Mahler’s majestic Fifth Symphony, all under the baton of the dynamic Josep Vicent.

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