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ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 6/SEPTEMBER 2013
HERITAGE MONTH 2013
Contact the Alumni Relations Office: Amanda Philander-Hietala, Contact the Alumni Alumni Relations Relations Manager Office: Tel: +27 21 959 2143 | Fax: 021 959 9791 | Email: alumni@uwc.ac.za | www.uwc.ac.za/alumni http://twitter.com/UWCAlumni http://twitter.com/UWConline | http://www.facebook.com/uwcalumni
UWC's Global Education Legacy Engendering public service It seems democratic South Africa has become something of a training ground for women in leadership. The latest in a growing line of illustrious South African women to take to the global leadership stage is UWC alumna Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, who was recently appointed as a Special Envoy for Gender at the African Development Bank (ADB). Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi is among a growing number of UWC alumni holding top positions at institutions around the world.
Fraser-Moleketi described the newlycreated position, which is at the level of a vice-president, as both “interesting and challenging”, noting that the objective was to promote gender issues and support women to access the resources to be more productive. “For instance, 80% of farmers in Africa are women, yet they have problems in getting access to land and infrastructure,” FraserMoleketi explains. Prior to her appointment, Fraser-Moleketi was UNDP's Democratic Governance Director (from 2009). Her new role at ADB coincided with the Bank finalising its 2013-2022 strategy, giving her an opportunity to provide immediate input.
The well respected gender activist and public administration expert relishes the opportunity to join the likes of Phumzile MlamboNgcuka (a UWC honorary doctorate recipient in 2007) who is now Executive Director of the UN's Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, UWC alumna Dr Precious Matsoso, who is Vice-Chairperson of the WHO’s executive board and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the new head of the African Union, and again shape policy in Africa and the world. “It is very important for South Africa and for Africa for women to make their mark on the continent and global arena,” FraserMoleketi commented. “We must ensure that we support the ability of women to unleash their potential.” Fraser-Moleketi enrolled at UWC in 1979 to study towards a teaching diploma. She was never able to complete her UWC studies (although she obtained a Master’s in Public Administration (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria in 2006), as she left the country to join Umkhonto we Sizwe in Zimbabwe in 1980. Fraser-Moleketi remembers the University as a “vibrant hub” for political activism which did not only play its role in educating students as a university, but also served the community through outreach activities. PAGE ONE
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