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17 April 2018 Photo Johan Roux
Be an ambassador for hope - Miss Deaf SA Chantelle Pretorius
Chantelle Pretorius, Miss Deaf South Africa 2017/2018, spoke at the April graduation at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Spotlight photo: Rulanzen Martin

Chantelle Pretorius, Miss Deaf South Africa 2017-2018, delivered a speech filled with hope at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Education April graduation ceremony.

“In the words of Tata Nelson Mandela, education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” said Chantelle.
 
A journey filled with triumph 
Chantelle’s journey to becoming a UFS graduate and foundation-phase teacher at Barkly East Primary School in the Eastern Cape is an inspirational one. When she became a UFS student in 2012, she showed promise on the football field and represented the university’s first football team from 2013 to 2015. She graduated with a BA in Education in 2015.
 
“Each person will experience the journey of life differently, but when we let our light shine, we unconsciously allow others to do the same,” said Chantelle. She encouraged the graduates by reminding them there is no obstacle too big to overcome.
 
No discrimination and people-centred university
“I am honoured to stand here today, before you all, as an ambassador for hope. I have never focused on my weaknesses but rather on my strengths. I pushed myself to be a better person in life and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to obtain a degree from the UFS, even though I am a deaf person. The university does not discriminate against anybody with a disability. So I salute this institution for allowing me to make my dream of becoming a graduate come true,” said Chantelle.

Pillars of strength and inspiration

She reminded the graduates that teaching was about being a pillar of strength and inspiration to the children they will teach. Chantelle said success did not happen overnight and that the graduates would need to live life with the right approach. She encouraged them to be enthusiastic, positive and motivated teachers. “Be the teacher that touches the lives and hearts of the children you teach because in the end, it is not what you say that matters but rather how you made the child feel, that will be remembered,” she said. 

News Archive

Research development develops young researchers
2008-11-19

 
Researchers who attended the workshop are, from the left, front: Ms Florence Tladi, Department of Psychology, Ms Makoena Moloi, Department of Plant Sciences, Ms Tobeka Mehlomakhulu, Department of Geography, Ms Nomampondomise Molefe, Department of Chemistry, Dr Micheal van Wyk, Department of Curriculum Studies, Prof. Mabokang ‘Monnapula-Mapesela, CHESD; back: Dr Sebolai, Prof. Muriel Meiring, Department of Hematology and Cell Biology, Mr Mathabatha Maleka, Department of Genetics, Mr Coleman, Dr Gregory Alexander, Department of Psychology of Education, Ms Dorine Masiangoako, Department of Chemistry, and Ms Moipone Mokoena, Department of Chemistry.
Dr Olihile Sebolai, Directorate Research Development, recently organised a series of workshops which is aimed at imparting new skills and knowledge to young and emerging academics.

The directorate endeavored to capacitate the new generation of researchers at the university with skills enable them to be established within the competitive mainstream of research. This is in line with the research strategy of the university that seeks to cultivate a strong culture of research.

Amongst others the workshops focused on innovative ways of adding value to student supervision and improving research project management skills. These workshops were facilitated by Dr Pieter du Toit from the University of Pretoria and Mr William Coleman from the Central University of Technology. Follow up sessions are planned for 2009 to assess the impact of these workshops.

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