Marlene le Roux
South African activist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marlene le Roux (born 17 September 1967) is a South African disability and women's rights activist. She is co-founder of the Women's Achievement Network for Disability,[1] and CEO of the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town.[2]
Marlene le Roux | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 September 1967 Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Education | University of the Western Cape |
| Employer(s) | Women's Achievement Network for Disability, Artscape Theatre Centre |
Biography
Marlene le Roux was born in Wellington, Western Cape, 17 September 1967.[3] At three months old, le Roux contracted poliomyelitis which left her with a weakened leg for which she wears a brace.[4] She matriculated at Bergrivier Secondary School[5] then went on to earn a B.Mus. degree in 1988 and a Higher Diploma in Education in 1989 followed by a B.Ed. in 1991, all at the University of the Western Cape. In 2002 and 2003 le Roux continued her education with a Diploma in Management and a Diploma in Senior Management from Stellenbosch University.[6]
Le Roux served as an international expert on the London Olympic Committee and Arts Council England to select arts projects for the London Olympics and Paralympics 2012.[7]
Le Roux and Karen Smit launched the Women's Achievement Network for Disability, in August 2014,[8] "to raise the profile and awareness of disabled women and girls in South Africa, so that their human rights may be advanced and promoted".[9]
Selected works
- le Roux, Marlene, ed. (2008). Look At Me. photography by Lucie Pavlovich. Cape Town: Genugtig! Publishers. ISBN 9780980260670. Featuring stories of 23 women with various disabilities, the photography is by Lucie Pavlovich.[10]
- le Roux, Marlene; Ommundsen, Ludmila (2012). Mitchell's Plain : a place in the sun : the story of Mitchell's Plain as told by its people 1974-2011. Cape Town: Mikateko Media. ISBN 9780981416861. Everyday life in Mitchells Plain, a large township on the outskirts of Cape Town.[11]
- le Cordeur, Michael; le Roux, Marlene (2013). Olivier, Ria (ed.). Die Wellingtonse klopse : 100 jaar se onvertelde stories. Tygervallei: Naledi. ISBN 9780987038821. About the minstrel history in the town of Wellington, Western Cape.[12]
Awards and honours
- Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year – Art Category, 1998
- Desmond Tutu Legendary Award, 2001
- Chevalier des Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a French Knighthood in the Performing Arts, 2002[5]
- Alumni of the Year 2003, University of Stellenbosch
- Western Cape Provincial Award, Arts & Culture, 2005
- Honorary Membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society at the University of Stellenbosch, 2007
- Alumnus of the Year 2007, for excellence in Management, University of Stellenbosch Business School, 2008
- CEO Magazine Awards. SA's most Influential Women in Business and Government. Recognition of achievement in the Arts & Culture Sector, 2010
- Ordre National Du Merite from the French Government, 2012
- German Africa Prize from the German Government for work done in disadvantaged communities, 2012[13]
- Honorary doctorate in education from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017[14]
- Commonwealth Point of Light Award, 2018.[15]