Every year in July, South Africa and the world honour the legacy of the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela – not through symbolism, but through action.

This year’s national Mandela Month theme, ‘It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’, reminds us that the work Madiba began remains unfinished. At the University of the Free State (UFS), this work continues in tangible ways through departments and initiatives that put dignity, access, and student success at the centre of everything they do.

Here’s how some of those efforts are quietly, but powerfully, reshaping lives across our campuses:

Fighting hunger with knowledge and care

Through the No Student Hungry (NSH) programme, the Food Environment Office supports students who face food insecurity. The programme goes beyond providing food parcels – it empowers students to make informed choices through partnerships with the Dietetics, Kovsie ACT, and Food Sciences divisions, offering budgeting tips, nutrition awareness, and recipes.

Because a student who’s hungry can’t focus on building a future.

The right outfit shouldn’t be a privilege

Whether it’s for a job interview, a presentation, or a placement, not every student has access to professional clothing. The Career Closet, run by UFS Career Services, helps close that gap by offering business attire at no cost, ensuring that when opportunity knocks, students can walk in ready.

Access isn’t a favour – it’s a right

The Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) plays a vital role in creating learning environments where no student is left behind. From assistive technologies to campus-wide inclusion practices, CUADS continues to promote access that is both meaningful and lasting.

Building a culture where equality is lived

The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) drives awareness and change through training, advocacy, and support across the university. Whether it’s through safe space workshops or sensitisation programmes, GEADO is helping create a campus where everyone feels seen, valued, and protected.

Investing in potential, nurturing futures

No student should be denied the opportunity to study because they can’t afford it. The newly launched VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund is a powerful step toward changing that.

Announced by UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper during her inauguration last month, the Imbewu Legacy Fund is a dedicated student support fund aimed at ensuring that no deserving student is left behind due to financial barriers.

‘Imbewu’, which means ‘seed’, reflects the fund’s purpose: to lay the foundations for future students and leaders, to nurture potential, and to invest in long-term transformation.

The official launch of the fund takes place on Tuesday 15 July, during Mandela Month, a fitting moment that reminds us that equity in education is not just about access, but about investment in dignity and possibility.

What’s happening this Mandela Month?

On 15 July, the VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund will be officially launched. This dedicated student support fund aims to ensure that no deserving student is denied access to quality education due to financial constraints.

On Mandela Day, 18 July, the Faculty of Theology and Religion, in collaboration with the Bloemfontein Sasol Library and the Makerspace team, will visit the Heidedal Child and Youth Care Centre for a creative engagement with the children.

Also on 18 July, the Active Community Citizens, through the Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) programme, will visit The Talitha Cumi House of Safety and Reenboog Old Age Home for a Mandela Day outreach programme.