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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

State of our campuses: UFS Qwaqwa Campus temporarily closed until 18 April 2017
2017-04-03

The senior leadership of the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to close the Qwaqwa Campus on Tuesday 28 March 2017 due to student protests regarding provisional registrations. Academic activities will resume on 18 April 2017. 
 
The protests were preceded by a meeting of the campus management with the Student Representative Council (SRC) on 22 March 2017 to discuss issues pertaining to students who are provisionally registered – especially those students who are provisionally registered and awaiting the outcome of their appeals to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
 
On 27 March 2017, the SRC handed a memorandum to the campus management, requesting assistance in cases that are on appeal with NSFAS. The students also demanded extension of the provisional registration deadline of 31 March 2017, and that a fundraising plan should be implemented for financially needy students. The campus management made a commitment to respond within the deadline stipulated in the memorandum.
 
After the meeting, violence erupted when a group of students started intimidating students, barricading the entrance to the campus, and damaging university property. An interdict was served by the Sheriff later the same afternoon and additional security was deployed. On 28 March 2017, the violent protests and barricades spilled onto the provincial road to Phuthaditjhaba and several cars were damaged. This led to the arrest of a number of students by members of the South African Police Service for the contravention of the High Court order and for public violence. The students have since been released.
 
Due to the imminent threat to the safety of staff and students on the campus, the senior leadership decided on 28 March 2017 to evacuate the residences and to close the campus temporarily until 18 April 2017.
             
“It is unfortunate that the students resorted to violence without waiting for the campus management’s response to the memorandum of 27 March 2017. What makes the situation difficult is the fact that students on provisional registration who are waiting for the outcome of their NSFAS appeals, are dealing directly with NSFAS. This makes it difficult for the university to intervene,” says Mr Teboho Manchu, acting Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus.
 
The senior leadership of the UFS is aware of the video clip on social media this week, where a student is allegedly beaten by security guards on the Qwaqwa Campus. The senior leadership condemns this deplorable incident. An investigation is underway to determine the nature and cause of the incident. Appropriate steps will be taken once the outcome of the investigation is available.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393


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