NOTICE REGARDING THE NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS): DONORS
A. BACKGROUND
The composition of the UFS Council is stipulated in the UFS Statute, which was published in the Government Gazette on 10 March 2023.
B. QUALIFYING
The term of the member of Council elected by the donors, Mr M Rezelman, expired on 23 August 2025.
In terms of the above, one person designated by the donors (as determined by the Institutional Rules (Interim)) is a member of Council. The qualifying donors are defined as follows:
A person, body or entity is recognised by the Council as a donor when the amount donated or the monetary value of a contribution in kind is R20,000.00 or more, over a period of 5 years or be a single amount of R20,000.00 within the same time frame of 5 years preceding the month in which the election for a donor is taking place.
Qualifying donors of the UFS are requested to submit written nominations for such a member by using the Nomination Form. In the event that the proposer is a donor organisation, the Nomination Form has to be completed by the duly authorised representative of the organisation.
Every Nomination Form must be signed by 1 (one) member of the qualifying donors (proposer) and 1 (one) seconder (member of the qualifying donors) and must contain the written acceptance of the nomination by the nominee (member of the qualifying donors) under his/her signature, as well as the CV of the nominee. The qualifying donor list will be available here.
C. REQUIREMENTS
A Council member should, in accordance with the Institutional Rules (Interim), have the following competencies:
(a) A sound understanding of the higher education environment;
(b) Demonstrable ability to exercise fiduciary responsibilities without any self-interest;
(c) Commitment to the institution and its well-being;
(d) Solid grasp of strategic and other forms of institutional planning;
(e) Understanding of the funding environment of universities;
(f) Ability to analyse and interpret budgets and financial statements;
(g) Ability to re-prioritise institutional goals and targets in light of changed circumstances;
(h) Understanding of the audit and risk context within which universities function;
(i) Grasp of the legislative and regulatory environment and general legal processes within which universities operate;
(j) Sound understanding of human resource systems and processes;
(k) Understanding of the role IT plays in all institutional facets;
(l) Experience in multiple project management;
(m) Ability to interpret changing social situations impacting on the institution;
(n) Clear understanding of the distinction between governance and management in large institutions;
(o) Strong commitment to the development of young people;
(p) Commitment to contribute to and invest in public good;
(q) Grasp of facilities management and the broader building construction environment;
(r) Ability to function constructively in a collective environment;
(s) Ability to resolve conflicts and differences of opinions;
(t) Appreciation of, and commitment to, democratic processes; and
(u) Track record in advancing public accountability.
The following exclusions apply:
(a) This Council member may not be a staff member or student of the UFS.
(b) In terms of the Statute of the UFS (paragraph 13(5)), persons who stand to be nominated, elected or designated to serve on the Council may not be:
a) unrehabilitated insolvents;
b) persons declared mentally ill by a court of law;
c) persons who have been convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than twelve months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine (however, such a disqualification under this subsection lapses five years after the full sentence has been served), or
d) persons as envisaged in section 27(5B) of the Higher Education Act, 101 of 1997, as amended.
It should also be kept in mind that a Council member should not have a conflict of interest with the UFS.
D. PROCESS
All nominations must reach the office of the Registrar no later than 09:00 on 03 December 2025.
If more than one person is nominated, an election will be held as stipulated in the Institutional Rules. More information regarding this process will follow at that stage. If only one person is nominated, he/she will be deemed elected.
Nominations are to be submitted by e-mail to: registrar@ufs.ac.za.
For any enquiries, please contact Mr NN Ntsababa at registrar@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 3796.
Kindly take note that late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted or considered.
Each nomination must be submitted separately.
All nominations will undergo background checks and verifications.