11 November 2026
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Story Rorisang Rampheteng
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Photo Rorisang Rampheteng
Representatives of the University of the Free State and Letsemeng Local Municipality during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening local government through education, skills development and professional capacity building.
The University of the Free State (UFS) is expanding access to higher education and skills development through a new partnership with Letsemeng Local Municipality. The collaboration aims to equip municipal employees with the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to strengthen local government, improve service delivery and support sustainable community development.
Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership establishes a framework for collaboration in employee development, capacity building, knowledge exchange and community-focused initiatives. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to investing in people and strengthening the institutional capacity required to serve communities effectively.
Building on a successful partnership
For the UFS, the agreement extends the university’s contribution beyond the classroom by bringing its academic expertise to bear on the challenges facing local government.
He referred to the university’s previous collaboration with Xhariep District Municipality, through which short learning programmes were offered to strengthen the literacy and numeracy skills of prospective and middle-level managers. The programme achieved a 100% completion rate, with all 26 registered participants successfully completing their studies.
Prof Burger noted that these outcomes demonstrate the meaningful contribution that partnerships between higher education institutions and municipalities can make to strengthening public institutions.
“Today’s gathering represents more than the signing of a formal agreement. It signifies a shared commitment to building a meaningful and sustainable relationship between the university and the municipality,” he noted.
Investing in people who serve communities
For Letsemeng Local Municipality, the agreement provides an opportunity to strengthen employees’ professional capabilities and ensure that learning translates into tangible improvements in municipal operations and service delivery.
Acting Municipal Manager Mbulelo Jafta emphasised the municipality’s intention to turn the agreement into practical interventions that support employee development and contribute to the professionalisation of local government.
“One of the important pillars is to ensure that we upscale our employees so that they are also able to be on par with the developments around the world,” he explained.
Jafta highlighted the importance of equipping employees with relevant knowledge and skills to help them better understand their responsibilities, apply what they learn in the workplace and respond more effectively to the needs of residents.
Taking education closer to communities
Mayor Andrew Visagie emphasised the importance of making higher education more accessible, particularly to communities that have historically faced barriers to educational opportunities.
He stressed that universities have a responsibility to extend learning opportunities beyond traditional campuses and take education closer to the communities they serve.
“We have the responsibility to inculcate the culture of learning. If they are not able to come to the University of the Free State, you must take the University of the Free State to them,” he observed.
Visagie also encouraged the municipality and the UFS Business School to explore opportunities for councillors to enrol in the Bachelor of Management Leadership programme. He believes that continued learning among public representatives can strengthen leadership capacity and foster a culture of lifelong learning.
A shared commitment to development
The partnership reflects a broader commitment by the UFS and Letsemeng Local Municipality to strengthening responsive public institutions through education, skills development and knowledge exchange. By investing in employee development, the two organisations aim to create lasting benefits for municipal operations and the communities they serve.
Ultimately, the impact of the agreement will be reflected in the learning opportunities created, the qualifications employees achieve and the extent to which these investments contribute to improved local governance, service delivery and sustainable community development.