On 8 August 2025, the Sports Village at the Potchefstroom Campus was the setting as the School of Nursing hosted a Women’s Day celebration together with the NuMIQ research entity.

The theme, “Be yourself”, encouraged women who balance careers, families and research to embrace their identity.

The deputy director of the School of Nursing, Dr Khumo Shopo, told the gathering: “You are capable of doing extraordinary things. You are authors, innovators and trailblazers.”

“I wanted women at the School of Nursing to know that they are a force of nature. They are extraordinary by virtue of being women and being able to juggle their careers, family, studies and conducting research for some. They are indeed trailblazers, and I celebrate them every day,” she added.

She continued: “I wanted them to also feel acknowledged for their contribution to the School of Nursing. I asked them to wear a headscarf on that day, and I was humbled when I saw some of the colleagues with a doek-on-fleek – we had fun.”

Women wore colourful headscarves to embrace the doek-on-fleek idea, which is a symbol of respect in African culture.

Guest speaker Amelia Nnono Konote, known for her work in transformation and community development, spoke about women leaders. “Women have the power to lead with purpose and to inspire meaningful change,” she said.

Amelia, a semi-finalist in the Mrs Bold 2025 competition, shared her perspective. “My journey as a community builder, talk show producer and host and finalist in Mrs Bold 2025 aligns deeply with the theme ‘Be yourself’. This journey has required me to embrace my authentic self, my values and strengths, imperfections and all. Being part of this platform has shown me that true leadership does not come from trying to fit into a mould, but from standing confidently in who you are.”

“By staying true to who I am, I have inspired others to do the same; and that, to me, is what ‘Be yourself’ truly means. It is about owning your story, using your voice and showing up with integrity, courage and grace,” she added.

Prof Siedine Coetzee, holder of the Albertina Sisulu Research Chair in Nursing in the NuMIQ entity, reflected on the meaning of the day. “Though we come from different countries, cultures, traditions, races and family situations, on this day we stand together as one. We are not defined by our differences, but joined by our shared identity as women. In that, I felt both the beauty of diversity and the power of what it means to truly belong.”

The celebration concluded with dancing and a shared breakfast.

Women from the School of Nursing celebrated Women’s Day under the theme “Be yourself”.