A Stellenbosch University (SU) professor recently made history when she was appointed as chairperson of the university’s history department. Through her appointment, professor Sandra Swart became the first female chairperson of this department.
“As the first woman in this role, [Swart is] paving the way for new generations,” stated SU’s rector and vice-chancellor, professor Wim de Villiers, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. He added that her appointment as chairperson on 1 January was “indeed historic”.
From her research of white ants to unravelling the complex history of horses being used as a weapon of physiological terror in early Southern Africa, professor Sandra Swart says she has taken a unique approach to the study of history. “I thought I am going to be the first person to be an animal historian. To write the histories of the animals,” said Swart, who was recently appointed as the first female chairperson of the department of history at Stellenbosch University. Pictured is Swart in her office alongside her dog, Rea. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Stay in your lane
“The [phrase] that I hate as a historian is, ‘stay in your lane’. No, you must veer wildly out of your lane,” said Swart in reference to the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
Swart stated that, as a historian, she steers away from conventional history topics by chasing her calling in animal history. According to Swart, her research is geared towards creating a multi-species history that illustrates the “long entangled relationships of humans and other animals”.
Swart is no stranger to making history in the department, as she was also the first woman to become a full senior-level professor. According to Swart, her appointment as chairperson did not surprise her as much as being the first woman hired as an academic in the history department in 2002.
On 1 January, professor Sandra Swart made her own history by becoming the first woman appointed as the chairperson of Stellenbosch University’s history department. Swart added that she was also the first woman to become a full professor in the department. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
A mentor and inspiration
“I am sure she will take the chairperson responsibilities in her stride,” said Swart’s predecessor, Dr Anton Ehlers. He told MatieMedia that Swart is a “rare combination of an excellent teacher and inspiring historian.”
According to one of her PhD students, Anell Davies, Swart is a rigorous researcher whose work and ongoing research is inspiring to many aspiring historians. Davies added that Swart goes beyond being an inspiration to young women, as she is an inspiration for all.
Pictured is Swart alongside some of her former PhD students. From left to right: professor Sandra Swart, doctor Thembani Dube, Innocent Dande, Este Kotze, Bryan Kauma, Lyle Lennox, Mia Uys and Elijah Doro. “[Professor Sandra Swart] may not always show it, but she has a very sensitive and caring personality. Visits to her office would mean leaving with either a banana or getting articles/books – sometimes both – to help with your life and studies,” stated Kauma, a former PhD student of Swart. PHOTO: Supplied/Bryan Kauma
A plan for the future
“[As chairperson] you have the ability to shape the direction of the department,” explained Swart. The direction that she hopes to take is one where a more cosmopolitan learning system is adopted. “I want to make use of our research fellows from Tanzania, Lesotho and Australia, to make [the students’] learning much more international,” she explained.
As chairperson of Stellenbosch University’s history department, professor Sandra Swart hopes to steer the history department in a more cosmopolitan and international direction. “We are just a little fighting six-person department here, but we don’t have to be. We can have a department of thirty people from all over the world,” said Swart. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Swart commented that she hopes to be even more egalitarian than Ehlers, her predecessor. “We are all equal and my job is to make sure [my colleagues] get to do the best job they can. I serve, I do not rule.”