Monday 26 August will see the unveiling of an art installation on the Stellenbosch University (SU) campus which features cast iron sculptures of Antjie Krog, poet and author, and Catherine ‘Dope St Jude’ Pretorious, musician and creative.
The installation features 11 South African women and celebrates them as thought leaders in their respective fields. It is the latest visual redress project by SU.
Stephane Conradie, printmaking lecturer and curator of the installation, says the project looks at making campus a more inclusive environment for everyone on campus.
“Initially the project was supposed to look at how in a difficult environment what happens when we talk to each other and the women came afterwards,” says Conradie.
Conradie says the sculptures foregrounds women and that it is vital to have women foregrounded especially in Women’s Month.
Pretorious says she believes Women’s Month is an important time to celebrate alternative narratives.
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“It is great to see businesses, organisations and institutions shine a light on women’s issues and empowerment, but I would like to see them to this throughout the year, and not just during women’s month,” says Pretorious.
On Women’s Month, Krog says it forces people to think about women, feature them and reassess the worth and value women bring.
“It is my mother who inspires me because she has shown me how to live fearlessly,” says Krog about her biggest female inspiration.
Pretorious cites many women as her inspiration.
“I would count Winnie Mandela as an inspiration, for her fearless spirit and sense of right. I also respect and love Oprah Winfrey as a business woman,” says Pretorious.
She says young girls have a lot to learn from one another and that they need to stay true to themselves.
“I would encourage young girls to stay true to who they are and remain authentic. I encourage them to be bold, courageous and resilient,” says Pretorious.
A winter love poem by Antjie Krog
vii
I dare not have an underground
I cannot live upper ground
from everywhere channels run deep
I search on the wind for a voice to you
my life lies like stone
words do not manage to leave you
words do not manage to keep you
cold bites up from the grass
behind my scarf I say your name your name
and the wind cuts snow
never are you out of my thought
you give everything skin
my life slips away into yours
it had never been difficult
your body is of colour
and nowhere do you hold back from me
I know you more intimately than snare or silk or twine