Indaba develops self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-sustainable livelihoods
31 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
During the three-day education, training, and networking programme, participants had the opportunity to attend practical workshops and get their hands dirty in action learning sessions focused on food security, worm farming, and manufacturing through recycling.
The unemployment rate in South Africa has reached 31,9% (16,7 million) in the third quarter of 2023, according to
Statistics South Africa. The youth unemployment rate, which represents jobseekers aged between 15 and 34, stood at 4,6 million – also based on the statistics for the same period. Additionally, data from StatsSA reported an increasing trend of informal employment in South Africa, with the informal job market experiencing growth and providing support to many families.
Considering this data, as well as the need to introduce a different approach that initiates and supports individuals and communities in the development of sustainable livelihoods in order to address the challenge of poverty and unemployment, the
Directorate of Community Engagement at the University of the Free State (UFS) presented its Community Engagement Indaba, with the theme Building Self-reliance, Self-sufficiency, Self-sustainable Livelihoods for Entrepreneurship.
The event took place on the university’s Bloemfontein Campus (October 2023).
Collaboration and partnershipsThe indaba provided a platform for staff (academics and support staff), students, civil society organisations, businesses, government officials, and schools, with a particular focus on women and youth. It served as a space to exchange knowledge and skills, addressing how the curriculum can be responsive to societal challenges.
Moreover, the event played a key role in establishing a partnership platform, with resource organisations that funded and partnered with academics and societal bodies in local research projects.
Researchers collaborated with colleagues from various disciplines and other universities, as well as non-academic entities, on identified topics. They also pointed out burning issues to contextualise the curriculum for greater societal impact.
According to
Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele, Director of the Directorate Community Engagement, the indaba acted as a vehicle to introduce staff and students to direct involvement in engaged citizenship programmes. He believes that the university's commitment and reputation as an engaged institution were enhanced through activities presented during the indaba.
““The university's commitment and reputation as an engaged institution were enhanced through the activities presented during the Community Engagement Indaba.” – Bishop Billyboy Ramahlele
Education, training, and networking
In the two-day education, training, and networking programme, participants had the opportunity not only to attend sessions exploring and discussing topics such as entrepreneurship, personal development and transformation, subsistence farming, and nutrition and health, but also to participate in practical workshops. These hands-on sessions covered various subjects, including food security, worm farming, and manufacturing through recycling, allowing participants to literally get their hands dirty and engage in action learning.
Dr Karen Venter, Head of Service Learning in the Directorate, says that action learning was followed for skills development, which involves cycles of doing and reflecting. This practical learning approach is different from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ curriculum that is characteristic of many training and development programmes.
The indaba, guided by the university’s Vision 130 and its commitment to be a regionally engaged university that contributes to the development of the region, the country, and the continent, explored new ways of addressing poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources, while encouraging entrepreneurship. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.