“The whole idea of this event was, firstly, to embrace Women's Month. We wore the ‘doeks’ with confidence because it signifies to us a crown rather than oppression or being unprofessional,” says Mpho Modupe-Mhonyera, senior administrative assistant at the Language Directorate, who was one of the organisers of the initiative.

 

Mpho Seshabela, senior records officer of Corporate and Information Governance Services, says by wearing the head scarves women are walking in the footsteps of giants.

 

“There are so many women who came before us and made such important contributions to society. Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor, emphasised this when he said in his Women’s Day message that Women’s Day serves to remind us of the many sacrifices women made in various fields to better the lives of their families, the community and the country. This is exactly why we chose to wear ‘doeks’ in honouring them.”

 

Mpho said part of the initiative was also to give back to the community. “There are many female students at the NWU who can barely afford to buy themselves toiletries, including sanitary products, deodorants, body lotion and washing powder.”

 

They decided to use the Doek Day initiative as a pilot project for next year’s Women’s Day. The Ingryp Centre on the Potchefstroom Campus distributed the collected toiletries to needy students.

 

The Vaal Triangle Campus also launched a ‘Doek’ Project in celebration of Women’s Month. Click here to read about this project.