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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

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

2006-03-24

During the recent visit of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) to the University of the Free State (UFS) were from the left Mr Egon Wortmann (Director: ASAQS), Prof Basie Verster (representative of the Free State on the ASAQS and head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS), Mr Greyling Venter (Chairperson: Free State branch of the ASAQS), Prof DG Brümmer(Vice-President: ASAQS) and Mr Patrick Waterson (President: ASAQS).
Photo supplied

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

“The South African building industry is experiencing an unprecedented high level of economic growth and prosperity. This is causing a definite shortage of registered quantity surveyors,” said Mr Egon Wortmann, Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors(ASAQS) during the association’s recent visit to the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“This shortage is especially noticeable in local and national governments where unqualified and inexperienced staff, consultants and/or facilitators are now appointed,” said Mr Wortmann.

In doing so, the authorities that have adopted this approach are according to Mr Wortmann actually acting illegally and are not in compliance with the legal and statutory requirements of South Africa. “These unprofessional practices are unproductive, it leads to frustration and is strongly condemned by the ASAQS,” he said.

“The service delivery of these unqualified and unregistered service providers is often sub standard and does not comply to the legal requirements of the profession. It may also result in the tarnishing of the image and high professional standards set by the quantity surveying profession,” said Mr Wortmann.

“Universities offering programmes in quantity-surveying and construction management are also negatively affected by the high levels of activity in the building environment. Suitable lecturing staff are leaving the academic institutions as they are attracted to better opportunities being offered in the building industry. The ability of the tertiary institutions to attract young academics, to train them and to keep them in the longer term, is therefore almost impossible”, said Prof Basie Verster, head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS and representative of the Free State on the ASAQS.

According to Prof Verster the UFS supplies more than its quota of qualified quantity surveyors to the South African building industry. “Although more than 460 students are registered in construction related programmes at the UFS, we are as the ASAQS’s concerned about the shortage of students that can enter the construction industry. In our case, we are experiencing a shortage in black female students,” he said.

“Of the 460 postgraduate students, 38% are black of which 20% are female students. Graduates do also not necessarily stay in the country. As the UFS’s programmes are accredited overseas, a lot of our students leave the country for working opportunities elsewhere,” said Prof Verster.

Mr Patrick Waterson, President of the ASAQS, appealed to quantity surveyors to, when they are approached, consider academic careers or to make themselves available to lecture on a part time basis. “I also appeal to quantity-surveying practices, construction companies and developers to consider taking part in training activities,” he said.

The ASAQS has over the years developed a proud tradition within the quantity-surveying profession. Consequently membership of this organisation is a sought after goal for many members within the building environment. International agreements with various countries are also in place whereby it is mutually agreed that local as well as overseas qualifications are mutually acceptable on a reciprocal basis.

A more recent addition to the list of agreements is the reciprocity agreement entered into with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which makes it possible for South African based quantity surveyors to practice in over 120 countries worldwide.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
23 March 2006

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