The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) recently hosted a conference to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the South African Association of Women Graduates (SAAWG) under the theme: Education Imperatives: Current Needs, Future Vision.
SAAWG, an affiliate of Graduate Women International (GWI), is a renowned non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering women. Speaking at the conference, UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso expressed her gratitude for the university's involvement in an event that strives to change women's lives.
She remarked, "We note that the Association was established on 30 May 1923. This makes it exactly 100 years old. Centenary celebrations are a rarity. As UMP celebrates 10 years of existence, we aspire to follow in your footsteps and be inspired by your journey."
Professor Mayekiso further put emphasis on the effectiveness of SAAWG's efforts in empowering women, "Many female students and emerging female academics look up to us for inspiration, and this swells the ranks of female excellence and leadership. We are inspired to have you in our midst and looking forward to learning a lot from the conference."
Advocate Mikatateko Joyce Maluleke, Director-General of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the event as a reminder of those who fought for women's emancipation. She mentioned the journey of Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke, saying, "Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke, who became the first black woman to graduate with a university degree in South Africa in 1903, has inspired and influenced many women to date."
She acknowledged the progress made in female enrolment and graduation rates in South Africa but stressed the need for further action.
"In 2021, female students made up 61.4% of all students enrolled in public higher education institutions, and almost two-thirds of the graduates were females. However, there is still a gap between the graduation outputs and the labour market trends, with a higher unemployment rate for women compared to their male counterparts."
The conference was joined by delegates from across the globe.
Executive Director of GWI, Interim President of the NGO Committee on Human Rights, Stacy Dry Lara, acknowledged the journey undertaken by SAAWG and GWI.
"Our organization's centennial milestones are a testament to the spirit that has carried us through challenges, triumphs, and generations of dedicated individuals who have left an indelible mark on our collective legacy."
Dry Lara stressed the need to embrace change, raise awareness about the barriers women and girls face in education and professional lives, and adapt to new challenges. She said, "As we bid farewell to this sub-chapter, let us not forget that our organization's story does not end here. We carry the torch of 100 years of progress into the future that's brimming with possibilities."
The full-day conference included engaging panel discussions on various topics such as: A Tertiary Perspective: Tertiary Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Emerging Technology and the Sustainability of Higher Education, Economic Empowerment of Women, and Education for a Sustainable, Peaceful, Feminist Living Environment.
Distinguished speakers, included Dr Nonzwakazi Maqubela, Senior Lecturer in Sociology & Gender Studies at UMP, Ms Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) at Stellenbosch Business School, and Professor Cheryl Hendricks, Executive Director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), shared their valuable insights.
The conference celebrated the significant contributions of SAAWG and GWI over the past century. It underscored the importance of empowering women through education, addressing existing challenges, and striving for a more equitable and inclusive future. As the participants departed from the conference, they were inspired and equipped to continue shaping the journey of the next century.
@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrisplPhoto