The Faculty of Humanities at SPU hosted the second annual Women in Research in the Humanities (WORTH) Colloquium, an event dedicated to celebrating and advancing the contributions of female researchers. Dr Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, former Member of Parliament and renowned Deaf advocate, delivered an inspiring keynote address through sign language, highlighting how women can use their research to challenge stereotypes and uplift their communities.
Held at the end of Women’s Month, the colloquium brought together leading and emerging scholars from various Humanities disciplines to share innovative research, address systemic challenges, and foster collaboration. The programme also underscored SPU’s commitment to promoting research productivity and inclusivity within a supportive institutional culture.
Dr Newhoudt-Druchen, who was instrumental in passing the bill that recognised South African Sign Language as an official language, emphasised the power of believing in one’s research and using it to create lasting change. Her insights on overcoming challenges and giving back to communities sparked meaningful conversations, encouraging SPU to explore new action plans that empower the Deaf community and people living with disabilities.
The colloquium featured research presentations from Afrikaans, Setswana, Archaeology, Sociology, and Creative Writing, offering a diverse range of perspectives. The event fostered learning, networking, and empowerment, and received enthusiastic feedback from all participants.
The Faculty of Humanities extends its gratitude to Dr Newhoudt-Druchen, her interpreter Mr Francious Deysel, all invited guests, and everyone in the SPU community who made this event a success.
