​​As project manager of Words Open Worlds (WOW), a social empowerment initiative of the Stellenbosch University  (SU) Woordfees, Fiona van Kerwel guides others to broaden their perspectives and unlock their potential. Experiencing the change that the various WOW initiatives bring in people's lives makes her job worthwhile, she says.

As part of SU's Women's Month celebrations, Fiona tells us more about her role and the leadership qualities it requires.

Tell us more about your role at Stellenbosch University.

I am the project manager of WOW. The initiative promotes language skills, reading, literacy and the arts among learners and educators in primary and secondary schools, including grade Rs, with a focus on Afrikaans. Moreover, we promote multilingualism as part of a national spelling festival for learners with Afrikaans and isiXhosa as home languages and English as an additional language.

WOW is a crucial initiative and is based on scientific research that has proved that language efficiency determines children's performance in all other subject fields, including mathematics. As project manager, I need to ensure that all initiatives we undertake are aligned with WOW's mission to broaden perspectives, discover and develop potential, and empower people.

I currently oversee 27 implemented WOW projects running in the five areas of reading improvement, language empowerment, student recruitment, cultural projects, and professional development. The projects are managed by team coordinators and task teams that also include external stakeholders such as teachers and businesspeople.

What do you enjoy most about this role?

WOW creates opportunities for all involved to explore things that are removed from their everyday experiences and enables people to discover and develop their potential and talents. It helps people realise that through hard work and dedication, they can bring a positive change in themselves and their communities. To experience the change that WOW creates in people's lives makes my work rewarding and worthwhile.

I also enjoy working with a dynamic, enthusiastic and energetic team.

What do you think are key leadership qualities required to fulfil your role?

Leadership qualities such as a caring and approachable attitude, and definitely very good people skills. As a leader, you should also be able to influence those around you and create a safe space where staff and others will feel free to share, implement and develop ideas and action plans. You need to be a visionary who can lead people towards their dreams and coach your team appropriately to acknowledge and develop skills or knowledge. Adaptability to different circumstances is also crucial when working in the social impact space. And with WOW being a language-oriented programme, you must also know how to work with words creatively and educationally.

Leadership roles are demanding. What keeps you motivated?

Whenever WOW enables a person to develop themselves, it is rewarding. It motivates me never to give up, but always to try and create opportunities for others to better themselves.

When I hear about people who need support that we can provide, it motivates me to assist as far as possible to provide a positive outcome. In fact, the mere possibility of being able to help other human beings to reach their dreams will always motivate me to do better, try harder and never give up.

What would your message be to the next generation of aspiring female leaders?

Let us be the change we want to see in the world. As women, we fulfil multiple roles, which makes us adaptable and approachable.

We should also realise that life is a learning process. Work hard, be willing to learn from others, use your own knowledge and skills to teach others, and remember Madiba's words: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Never, never, never give up on the possibilities of life, and be grateful – there is always something to look forward to.

Let's teach others the value of education so that future generations will always realise the importance of educating themselves. And remember the value of stories, reading and understanding, and that words can help us discover and explore a whole new world.

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