Marlene le Roux

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]

## Biography

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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 the University of Stellenbosch.[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

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* 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

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* 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]

## References

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1. ^ Ngwenya, Jabulile S. (7 August 2017). "PICS: WAND inspires girls with disabilities to reach for the stars". Independent Online. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
2. ^ "Doctorate for Artscape CEO". News24. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
3. ^ "Sterling marlene le roux summary". safacti.ml. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
4. ^ Smith, Gilmore (Winter 2017). "Not an enigma, but a champion!". Atlantic Seaboard Views. Cape Town: CA Publications. pp. 24–25. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
5. ^ a b "Marlene le Roux Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Artscape Theatre Centre". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
6. ^ "WAND | Co-Founder - Marlene le Roux". www.wand.org.za. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
7. ^ "Taking on the Vavis and SA's holy cows". Fin24. News24.com. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
8. ^ "Artscape Women's Humanity Arts Festival". Artslink. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
9. ^ "CANSA & WAND – Creating Awareness Among Disabled Women to Reduce Cancer Risk". www.cansa.org.za. CANSA – The Cancer Association of South Africa. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
10. ^ Johnston, Lisa (11 August 2008). "Writing their own stories". The M&G Online. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
11. ^ "Mitchells Plain – 'maar net 'n plek soos ander plekke'". Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 13 February 2012. p. 9. Retrieved 11 October 2017 - via pressreader.com.
12. ^ Louw, Tessa (28 May 2013). "Die Wellington Klopse – 100 jaar se onvertelde stories | LitNet". LitNet (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 11 October 2017.
13. ^ Hahn, Julia (5 December 2012). "German-Africa Prize: art as a weapon for change | Africa | DW | 05.12.2012". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
14. ^ "Trailblazer Le Roux receives honorary doctorate | Cape Times". Cape Times. Independent Online. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
15. ^ "Royal recognition: Queen Elizabeth bestows a prestigious award on a worthy South African | Rolling Inspiration". Rolling Inspiration. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Netherlands