Dr Esther Palmer

Lecturer, Bloemfontein

Born in Paarl in the Western Cape, Dr Esther Palmer has been with CUT for the past 27 years, starting first as a part-time lecturer in 1994. Before joining the institution full-time three years later, she plied her trade in the SABC newsroom as a journalist and news anchor. A Doctor of Human Resource Management, the 52 year-old is unapologetically walking in her passion for people and teaching as a lecturer. “I love sharing knowledge. I love my role as an educator. I am passionate about enhancing students’ experience and broadening their perspective,” she says.

Although Dr Palmer has never allowed herself to be defined by anything else that’s not her intrinsic human traits, she credits herself as being a woman for empowering her to not just teach but also to nurture her students holistically, as she does her children.

“Being part of the female CUT community has been profound in my quest to be an educator and my passion for students, their employability and wellbeing. I believe CUT women are caring and share a sense of community,” she says. The runner has tackled six Comrades Marathons and loves to cook, braai and travel with family and friends.