11 October 2021
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Story Temba Hlasho
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Photo Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)
Temba Hlasho.
The past weeks have been sorrowful for the university community, with the untimely passing of our three students, Wonder Dlamini, Sigcino Zimba, and Thobani Manqele – may their souls rest in eternal peace and rise in glory. I hope you took advantage of the short October recess to rest from rigorous cognitive activities, and spend some time with family, friends, and loved ones.
The SRC elections are a critical activity for the university, and an essential programme on the calendar of the Department of Student Affairs. To ensure that you exercise your democratic right as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the ISRC Constitution, make time to vote for the SRC candidate of your choice from 12 to 15 October 2021.
The Department of Student Affairs has numerous activities lined up for you during October. Find the time and participate to balance your academic activities with our online co-curricular and extra-curricular activities:
CUADS WEEK 2021 Programme (1-6 November 2021)
CUADS Week is a collaborative event between the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS), the SRC: Universal Access and Social Justice, the Universal Access Council, and other Student Affairs stakeholders.
The initiative seeks to highlight issues related to the success of students with disabilities; strengthen collaboration between various stakeholders to ensure the prioritisation of universal access; and active citizenship in the promotion of an inclusive university culture.
In 2021, CUADS celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the years, the centre has gained valuable lessons in the pursuit of a diverse and empowering institutional culture at the University of the Free State (UFS), thereby supporting students in the successful completion of their studies.
Event: Career Empowerment Workshop
Date: 1 November 2021
Time: 16:00-18:00
Venue: Online
Lead: Katlego Sekele (SRC: Universal Access and Social Justice)
With this event, the organisers seek to create a platform for engagement on the development and successful transition of students with disabilities to the workplace by exposing them to the various opportunities and services at their disposal.
Event: Leadership Development Workshop
Date: 3 November 2021
Time: 16:00-18:00
Lead: Gernus Terblanche
Co-curricular programmes form an integral part of developing balanced and well-rounded graduates who are empowered to critically engage and contribute to the social landscape of their communities and beyond. Through this event, representatives of the various offices related to student life will present information to students.
Event: Sexual Health and Mental Health Workshop
Date: 5 November 2021
Time: 16:00-18:00
Lead: Mosa Moerane
Aware of the gaps that exist in sexual and reproductive health campaigns – which are not inclusive of and/or targeted at persons with disabilities – this session seeks to highlight the services available to students as they relate to these, as well as to encourage the universal access approach in ensuring that all information and infrastructure are accessible to all students.
Event: CUADS 20 Years Commemoration Wheelchair Rugby Friendly Match
Date: 6 November 2021
Lead: Gernus Terblanche and Tladi Tau
The above event will be the final event in the series. The match seeks to highlight collegiality and celebration among all CUADS stakeholders, as well as to promote CUADS services to a wide audience.
Kovsie ACT Food Environment Community Gardens continues to fight against food insecurity.
Currently, hundreds of students receive food parcels (sponsored by Tiger Brands, R720 000 per annum) from the UFS Food Bank that contain non-perishable food items.
The Community Garden Project provides additional support by supplying fresh produce. A total of 162,5 kg of fresh produce was harvested in September alone. The vegetable crops included spinach, carrots, beetroot, and beans.
We are looking forward to October when we will harvest even more produce.
Two new vegetable tunnels are being erected on the UFS experimental farm.
Students can focus on their studies without worrying about their next meal, thus increasing their chances of excelling academically and ultimately obtaining their degrees. Basic food production is a transferrable skill that each of these students can take back to their communities.