Fashion meets purpose as University of the Free State (UFS) alumna, medical doctor, and former Miss South Africa and Miss World 2014, Dr Rolene Strauss, returns to her alma mater with a collaboration that beautifully blends style, empowerment, and community impact.
The UFS Class of 2016 graduate, mother of two, and visionary entrepreneur is creating meaningful employment opportunities for local women, celebrating their artistry through a collection of vibrant shweshwe pouches designed for her premium eyewear brand, RS Sunglasses.
The idea was sparked at a UFS corporate event in Cape Town, where Rolene’s husband, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Daniel Strauss, received a gift made from shweshwe fabric produced at the UFS
Paradys Experimental Farm.
Recognising the skill and story woven into the material, Rolene saw more than fabric — she saw a chance to make a difference.
“It was a beautiful, serendipitous moment,” she says. “Some stories come full circle. I’ve always dreamed of giving back. This pouch carries more than sunglasses — it carries hope.”
From that moment, Rolene partnered with the UFS team to design and refine the pouches, ensuring every detail revealed her vision of craftsmanship with heart.
At the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm, which forms part of the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, women artisans are trained across the full wool value chain — from production to final product. Through this partnership, five local women — Elizabeth Mnwana, Sarah Lenong, Sophia Mekhoe, Ntabiseng Ndabeni, and Elizah Tema — have gained sustainable income and recognition for their exceptional skills.
“This partnership blends craft, tradition, and modern luxury,” says Doretha Jacobs from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development. “It shows that giving back can create ripples of opportunity.”
What began as a moment of appreciation for local craftsmanship has evolved into a collaboration at the intersection of entrepreneurship, academia, and social impact — a true embodiment of the UFS spirit.