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Meneshia Koopman-"There is no limit to what a woman can accomplish"
Author: Birgit Ottermann/ Photo: Stefan Els
Published: 15/08/2022

“There is no limit to what a woman can accomplish. Life is not about competing with men; it needs to be a collaboration between men and women – we all have equal playing fields. I believe a woman can become anything she wants if she focuses her energy on the goal."

This is the Women's month message of Meneshia Koopman, an administrator responsible for Reception and Client Services at the Stellenbosch University International (SUI) Services Centre. “A woman can become anything she wants if she focuses her energy on the goal."

Koopman, who has been working at SUI since 2014, believes the university is already getting a lot right when it comes to achieving gender equality in the workplace.

The diversity and improvements that can be seen are women appointed equally on every level and position up to senior levels and professors," says Koopman. “I love that there are so many powerful women, like Prof Hester Klopper and Prof Thuli Madonsela, in my workplace – it's very inspiring."

Working in Reception and Client Services makes Koopman often the first port of call for new international students.

“My responsibilities include receiving and greeting all clients, students, and delegations. What I enjoy most about my job is my interaction with the students - helping them to feel at ease with a warm reception and assisting with their needs. I see myself as a major advantage in my workplace, being an enthusiastic and charismatic woman who can positively affect open communication and help to encourage others."

As within any job, Koopman also experiences challenges such as difficult clients, juggling incoming calls and queries, and deciding on the best course of action to take – this often includes on-the-spot decisions on who to direct or escalate a difficult call to, when necessary.

Koopman singles out her manager Carmien Snyman as a wonderful mentor in her workplace. “I'm still learning so much from her, from finance to my daily tasks. She is there not only for work but also shows a lot of interest in my away-from-work environment. She always checks up and encourages me in everything I do.