Her identity is proudly shaped by an unwavering dedication to equality and empowerment. She believes in the principle of fairness and the idea that women have the capacity to pursue any aspiration they choose.
This fierce description is part and parcel of what defines Macassar powerhouse Jocelyn Solomons as a formidable woman, who is a strong advocate for building connections and encouraging women to uplift, inspire and support one another.
The young, dynamic and strong-willed professional is making waves as a successful woman thriving in what may still be a man’s world. She exudes positivity and works as junior sport-science lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU) while pursuing her PhD studies in women’s rugby development at the institution. To boot, Solomons not only excels on the sport sciences front but also shines on an artistic level as an acclaimed Latin dancer and qualified Zumba instructor.
The 28-year-old multifaceted go-getter exemplifies her belief that anything is within reach if one dares to chase one’s dreams. In terms of how this all fits together, she said: “It’s a tight squeeze sometimes! But I pride myself in having circles of integration rather than confining to squares. I am living my passion, filling my cup while earning a living.”
Jocelyn started her school career at Somerset West Methodist Primary School and following her Grade 5 year joined the ranks of Somerset College, where she was a recipient of the Acorn bursary for academic and sport excellence, and matriculated in 2013. The determined all-rounder successfully pursued her tertiary studies at SU, reeling in an undergraduate BA degree in sport science (in 2016), followed by a BSc honours in performance sport (in 2017) and an MSc in dance and rugby (in 2019).
“Once I decided to dive into my postgraduate studies I knew I was aiming for the ultimate goal, a PhD. While pursuing my master’s degree I had the most amazing study mentors by my side, Professors Eileen Africa and Wilbur Kraak, providing unwavering support. As this chapter concluded and another started, I found myself under the guidance of Professor Kraak again, this time as my PhD supervisor. Due to his expertise in rugby and exceptional support, it was a straightforward choice to continue on this journey.
“I have a genuine passion for research, and even though my MSc journey posed challenges I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to enact change through my research efforts. I carried a deep personal commitment to elevate the significance of my PhD beyond a mere dissertation; this was my persistent motivation. I was prepared to advocate for those whose voices weren’t heard, to disrupt the status quo, and to initiate discussions that could catalyse the much-needed transformative shift within the women’s rugby landscape.”
And this is exactly what she did when she recently submitted her dissertation on women’s rugby and the perception that prevails in South Africa. “The research team unanimously decided that a project with local relevance was essential – a project that would strike a chord.
“As a researcher, this presented a unique chance for introspection – to confront my own biases, question my perspectives, and dig beyond the surface of whether women should participate in rugby or not.
“There’s a richer narrative beyond just equal opportunities, the discrepancy between men’s and women’s rugby, and these are just some aspects that demanded thorough exploration.”
Solomons’ academic role bestrides teaching and lecturing, crafting educational materials and devising assessments.
Additionally, she conducts scholarly investigations in her specialised field, publishing research outcomes, and presenting findings at conferences. Her role extends to guiding and supervising students, taking on administrative tasks as the coordinator for first-year students, and more.
While Solomons uses every opportunity to impart diverse knowledge and inspire students by engaging their inquiring minds, fostering critical thinking and witnessing those incredibly rewarding “aha” moments when concepts click, her purpose extends beyond the classroom.
She is also known for her instrumental role in the training of high-performance athletes at the university, Stellenbosch Rugby Academy and the Western Province Rugby Academy (“Dancer’s moves benefit rugby stars through dance-oriented exercises used to target specific bio-motor skills,” DistrictMail, 8 July 2021). The rhythmic movement specialist used Stellenbosch and WP Rugby Academy rugby players to test her research for her master’s degree topic, “The effect of a rhythmic movement intervention on selected bio-motor skills of Western Province Rugby Academy players.”
Solomons has also been involved in the lives of young, aspiring dancers in the basin as a dance instructor at local studios.
“People often say ‘You aren’t what you do”, but I cannot be Jocelyn without dancing. If anyone knows me they know that dance and sport have always been part of my life,” she declared.
“Being a dancer and fitness instructor holds a deep connection with who I am as a person. These roles allow me to express my passion for movement, music, and community. As a Latin dancer, I can unleash my creativity through dance, connecting with the rhythm and energy of the music. It’s a form of self-expression that transcends words.
“As a Zumba instructor I get to share my love for fitness and dance with others. This role aligns with my desire to inspire and motivate individuals to lead healthier and more active lives.
“Ultimately, being both allows me to intertwine my personal passions with my aspiration to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Solomons comes from a strong family musical background. Growing up, her home was always filled with music, and her brothers were actively engaged in various sports at a high level.
“I ventured into the world of dance at the age of eight and became dedicated to it. Encouraged by my parents to lead an active life, participating in sports came naturally to me. However, due to my competitive nature I wasn’t content with casual participation.
“In my final year of school I was captain of the senior netball team, all the while excelling academically and striving to achieve excellence as a dancer across multiple genres, aiming to be among the best in the country.”
Among her accolades Solomons boasts several national and provincial dance titles, being published internationally as an author, securing numerous financial awards for academic excellence from the National Research Foundation (NRF), and trips abroad to present her research for academic purposes. She has also recently become the director of her own business.
“I take pride in embracing the mantra that growth comes from embracing challenges,” she said. “Life’s greatest lessons and accomplishments often arise from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and facing adversity with determination and resilience. And as good friends of mine say, ‘Doen wat jy moet sodat jy kan doen wat jy wil!’.”
What propels Solomons continually to reach for new heights, particularly as a woman navigating in some predominantly male-dominated spheres, both personally and professionally, is the unshakable belief that her potential knows no bounds.
“I am motivated by the opportunity to shatter barriers, inspire others, and contribute to positive change. The challenges I encounter only fuel my determination to pave the way for women in traditionally male domains and to redefine what’s achievable.”
She extended the following message of inspiration to other young women in the basin: “I will use one of my favourite quotes from a book I have recently read in which the author says, “Be messy and complicated and show up anyway”.
“We are often so hard on ourselves; often delay taking risks because we’re afraid to look or sound silly. But we should wait till we have it all together or all figured out. Because that moment may never come. Be brave enough to show up as you are because you have what you need and you’re enough!”
