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Unisa pays tribute to women who shaped history through music and sport
From left: Prof Nampombe Saurombe, Rosina Sedibane and Prof Meahabo Magano
The Unisa Art Gallery pulsed with energy on 28 August as the university marked Women’s Month with a vibrant celebration honouring women whose voices and talents have transformed South Africa’s cultural and sporting landscapes.
Held at the Kgorong Building on the Muckleneuk Campus, the event brought together the Departments of Arts and Music, History, Information Science, and Library and Information Services. United under the theme of resilience and activism, the programme highlighted women who turned music and sport into powerful tools for liberation and identity.
Opening the event, Prof Nampombe Saurombe, Acting CoD of Information Science, reminded the audience of the responsibility to preserve these stories: "The liberation struggle and the lives of unsung heroines make us who we are." Dr Daniel Mosako, Acting CoD of Arts and Music, echoed this sentiment, noting the power of the arts in carrying history forward: "Through music and performance, we can share both our heritage and our emotions".
Voices that resonate across generations
Keynote speaker Prof Meahabo Mogano drew the audience into the histories of trailblazers such as Rosina Sedibane, the first black woman to break through apartheid’s barriers in white-dominated sport.
"For women like Rosina, sport was an act of defiance, a declaration that we belonged in every space denied to us," Mogano said.
She also paid tribute to musical icons Brenda Fassie and Miriam Makeba. Fassie’s defiant anthems, Mogano noted, "were weapons of hope", while Makeba carried South Africa’s struggles to the world stage, demonstrating that culture could be a powerful voice for justice.
Heritage on display
The programme intertwined speeches with live performances. Traditional singer Xongi captivated the audience with her rendition of Mono, while the Unisa Traditional Dancers energised the gallery with routines celebrating African identity.
A digital exhibition curated by Dr Annemie Behr and Dr Daniel Rankadi Mosako further amplified the message. Through archival photographs, recordings and personal narratives, it illuminated a century of overlooked contributions by women. "Women were never silent; their voices were scattered across history," said Mosako. "Our role is to bring them back into focus."
Dr Khumotso Marumo, Director of Unisa Library and Information Services, emphasised the responsibility of knowledge institutions: "By honouring these voices, we preserve memory and inspire transformation. These legacies must continue to guide future generations."
More than commemoration
For many, the event was both a celebration and a call to action. "When young girls see women celebrated like this, they know they can break barriers too," said Prof Maserole Masondo from the Department of History.
Closing the programme, lecturer Karen McGuirk from the Department of Information Science urged the audience to keep amplifying women’s stories: "Their light must continue to inspire and unite us all."
The evening ended on a note of hope, underscoring that women’s contributions in music, sport and society are not just history, they are enduring guides for South Africa’s future.
* By Itumeleng Mpete, Marketing Coordinator, Library and Information Services, and Dr Joseph Matshotswane, Lecturer, Information Science
Publish date: 2025-10-09 00:00:00.0
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