“Women’s Month 2025: Celebrating women in academia, tech, and innovation. Honouring SA leaders like Anneke de Klerk and VUT’s inspiring women shaping the future.”
07 August 2025 | Story By: Raludzingana Masangwani | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
2 minutes read time.
Professor Anneke de Klerk, Associate Professor in Visual Arts and Design at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), stands as a testament to the transformative power of innovation, dedication, and academic excellence. Her career, spanning more than 25 years as a photography lecturer, has consistently been driven by a passion for student success and a belief in the empowering role of education.
“I am most inspired by what students achieve. The articles I write, or contribute to, usually focus on their accomplishments. I am proud to be part of a department that values student success and equally proud to play a role in their growth,” she shares.
Currently, Professor de Klerk is pioneering an exciting venture called the Metaverse Academy project, an ambitious initiative designed to familiarise VUT staff and students with emerging technologies, including extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). With the upcoming launch of the Metaverse Academy’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, she envisions a future where access to innovative learning is free and boundless.
Her work, however, is not solely technical. It is grounded in a deep desire to share knowledge widely and to ensure that the value of these initiatives is understood and embraced both within the university and by the broader community. “We should be proud of what we do. Writing is one way to express that pride, to inform, inspire and celebrate our collective achievements.”
When asked about writing as a vehicle for women’s empowerment, Professor de Klerk is candid. Visibility is vital, but it must be accompanied by merit. “Approach your work from a place of professional excellence, not simply as a woman seeking recognition. That is no longer sufficient. Believe in your ability and execute it well.”
She pays tribute to the women who paved the way, acknowledging that progress has not come without struggle. At the same time, she encourages a shift in focus from gender alone to the strength of one’s work ethic, creativity and personal perspective. “Ultimately, it should not matter whether you are a woman or a man. Just do your work, take pride in it and do it well enough to be proud of.”
With her sights now firmly set on the frontiers of AR and VR, Professor de Klerk embodies the limitless possibilities available to those willing to embrace change and share their journey with others.
As we commemorate Women’s Month, her story serves as a powerful reminder to women and men alike of the enduring value of commitment, the necessity of visibility, and the transformative impact of learning and innovation on both individuals and society.