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Women shaping academia: UFS EMS Faculty honours leadership and resilience

21 August 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Tshepo Tsotetsi

EMS Womens Function — From the left: Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS; Simone Williams, Faculty Manager; and Dr Celeste Campher, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, at the Women’s Function held on the Bloemfontein Campus on 18 August.

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently hosted a Women’s Function on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus – an event that paid tribute to women’s leadership in academia during Women’s Month. The gathering, held on 18 August 2025, was marked by a historic conversation with Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, who earlier this year became the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history.

The function brought together women academics and professional staff in an atmosphere of connection and reflection to converse on breaking barriers, building futures, and empowering women in higher education. In conversation with colleagues, Prof Klopper shared her personal journey in higher education, her leadership philosophy, and the values that have guided her career. The occasion created a meaningful platform for colleagues to reflect on the role of women in shaping the future of the faculty and the university.

Breaking barriers, building futures

Prof Klopper described her appointment as both humbling and historic: “It is an extraordinary honour to be entrusted with this responsibility. This milestone is not just a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the progress we have made as a university and as a society in recognising and valuing diversity in leadership. I stand on the shoulders of many trailblazers who paved the way, and I hope my appointment inspires women to believe that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

She shared pivotal moments across her career journey – from transitioning into academia to international leadership experiences that shaped her vision. “You become aware of a growing, burning desire to plough back what you have learned; to pay forward in some way after receiving so many opportunities for growth, so much exposure to great role models, and such incredible learning experiences,” she said.

Acknowledging the challenges women still face in higher education, Prof Klopper reflected: “Academia has traditionally been male-dominated. In order to overcome stereotyping and bias, I drew on the values instilled by my parents – hard work, believing in yourself, non-discrimination, fairness, and care. These have been incredibly valuable in my journey.” She also highlighted the importance of supportive partnerships when balancing professional and family responsibilities.

Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty, said these reflections captured the very purpose of the gathering. “With Prof Klopper serving as the first female Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, it was important to create a platform for her to inspire and empower women academics,” she said. “By sharing her career journey and insights, she demonstrated how barriers can be overcome in higher education leadership.”

She added that the conversation reinforced an important message: “Women, too, can achieve whatever they aspire to become. Prof Klopper reminded us that one must be clear about the message they want to communicate, know what they stand for, and remain consistent, authentic and honest. She emphasised the importance of always considering what you bring to the table – your expertise and knowledge – which ultimately opens doors. She also reminded us that women need to create their own values and live them, be intentional, and show up. There is no single recipe – each person must find their own rhythm and pursue it deliberately.”

Prof Klopper echoed with a message of encouragement to young women: “Have the courage to embrace your own authentic leadership style. Do not allow others to define who you are – believe in your own abilities. Knowledge without action is incomplete. Lead with heart, take intellectual risks, and remember that talent exists everywhere, but you have the power to create opportunity.”

Prof Neneh added that the event was not only a celebration but also a call to action: “Women play a vital role in enriching the academic project by bringing diverse experiences, perspectives, and leadership approaches. I hope colleagues left encouraged to pursue their aspirations with confidence and inspired to embrace mentorship, sponsorship, and solidarity among women academics.”

News Archive

UFS to award honorary doctorate to Maria Ramos

2004-12-08

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) recently approved the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Ms Maria Ramos, Group Chief Executive of Transnet in April 2005. A total of five honorary doctorandi will be honored.

The other doctorandi are Proff Jan Groenewald (D Sc (hc)), Jaap Durand (D Phil (hc)), Sampie Terreblanche (C Dom (hc)) and Anthon Heyns (MD (hc)).

Me Ramos will receive an honorary doctorate in Economics (P hD (Economics) (hc)) for the large contribution she made to the establishment of a prudent fiscal and macro-economic policy in South Africa and hence, to the restoration of the financial credibility of the country in the eyes of domestic and foreign investors. Ms Ramos was the Director General of the National Treasury from 1996-2003.

She obtained the MSc-degree in Economics in 1992 from the University of London and was awarded a British Council Scholarship (Helen Suzman award) in the same year and in 1991. During the early nineties she was among others project leader of the ANC’s Macro-economic Research Group and also a member of the team that negotiated chapters on finance in the interim Constitution of South Africa. She was a research associate at the Centre for the Study of the South African Economy and International Finance at the London School of Economics and also lectured at the Universities of South Africa and the Witwatersrand.

“It is a great privilege for us to honor Ms Ramos and the other doctorandi in their different fields of expertise. This once again serves as an example of the UFS’s policy to give recognition to people who excel and make a difference,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Prof Jan Groenewald will receive an honorary doctorate for his life-long commitment to the establishment and development of Agricultural Economics as a subject field in South Africa and in Africa and his various contributions to the UFS. During his career, Prof Groenewald received various awards among others in 1998 when he received the Stals Prize for Economics from the South African Academy for Science and Art and in 1990 when he received an honorary medal from the South African Society for Agricultural Economics.

Prof Jaap Durand will receive an honorary doctorate in Philosophy for his pioneering work on various fields in the South African society. He obtained his Masters degree in Philosophy from the UFS and contributed to almost 60 articles and collections. Prof Durand has a colourful career as academic manager: from professor in Systematic Theology and dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of the Western Cape to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the same university. He was the ombudsman of the University of Stellenbosch from 2002-2003.

Prof Sampie Terreblanche will receive an honorary doctorate in Economics for the important role he played, and is still playing, to keep the debate about and the need for socio-economic and socio-political reform in South Africa going. Prof Terreblanche started his career as a lecturer at the UFS. In 1992 the Stals Prize for Economics was awarded to him by the South African Academy for Science and Art. Prof Terreblanche was also a founding member of ASSET, an organisation addressing the problems of poverty, inequality and social injustice in South Africa.

Prof Anthon Heyns, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Blood Service, will receive an honorary doctorate in Medicine. Prof Heyns is a well-known international researcher in Hematology and recently received a Centenary Medal from the UFS for his strong role and national prominence as expert and leading figure in establishing and developing Hematology at the UFS. He was the first head of the UFS’s Department of Hematology and is also co-editor of the only Afrikaans hand book of Hematology. He serves among others as a council member and member of the executive management of the South African Medical Research Council. On the international front he serves on at least five committees of the World Health Organisation based in Geneve, Switzerland. He has two honorary appointments as professor respectively at the UFS and University of the Witwatersrand.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
8 December 2004

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