The University of the Free State (UFS) Xhosa Students Association (XSA) recently held its 2024 academic year launch event on the UFS's Bloemfontein Campus.

The launch was held on 20 April 2024, with attendees including Nqabakazi Quwe from the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation; Nikiwe Matebula of the Pan South African Language Board; and Ntyatyambo Funda and Sange Mhluzi of the University of the Witwatersrand’s (Wits University’s) Xhosa Society.

Other UFS student associations such as Ubumbano Luka Zulu, the Pedi Students Association, and the UFS Acting Society, as well as the Central University of Technology's Embo Back to our Roots CUT Xhosa Organisation, also attended. 

“As the Xhosa Students Association, our mission is to promote African restoration and preserve Xhosa traditions among students by fostering cultural awareness, providing educational resources, and organising community engagement initiatives,” said XSA Chairperson Lusanda Madikane.

With a membership of 379 people so far, the association has created a community for isiXhosa-speaking UFS students and those keen on learning about the isiXhosa language and culture.

Madikane also said, “Fostering a sense of pride and heritage while building bridges between different cultures at UFS is one of our mandates as the association.”

The XSA is committed to celebrating and promoting Xhosa culture among students at the UFS. “As [the XSA], we intend on addressing stereotypes and myths surrounding our Xhosa students,” Madikane said.