Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
03 April 2018 Photo Valentino Ndaba
Stanley Trapido seminar interrogates being Chinese in SA
Miyanda Simabwachi (PhD student), Prof Karen Harris (guest speaker), Eleanor Born-Swart (PhD student), and Prof Neil Roos of the International Studies Group at the Stanley Trapido seminar.
Speaking at the Stanley Trapido seminar hosted by the International Studies Group, Prof Karen Harris from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Historical and Heritage, underscored how South Africa-born Chinese (SABCs) have historically been relegated to the periphery of South African society as far as access to opportunities is concerned. She presented a paper titled: “BEE-ing Chinese in South Africa: Black not White?” at the second seminar in the annual series on Monday 19 March 2018 at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

“Chinese are not black enough under the new government and were not white enough under the old government,” said Prof Harris who specialises in the field of overseas Chinese studies as well as heritage tourism. Her paper focused on how this miniscule population group suffered discrimination under segregation and apartheid, and has continued to experience systematic discrimination in relation to education, employment, ownership of property, trading business and voting rights, separate amenities, freedom of movement and marriage, over a period of three centuries.

Prof Harris argued that the manner in which Chinese were treated pre-1994 is similar in the democratic dispensation. “They still have no rights and no place in the broader South African society.”

To drive her point home, Prof Harris made reference to legislations, namely the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment and the Employment Equity acts. These laws were an attempt to promote equity and fairness in the labour market and trade, to give members of society who were discriminated against access to employment opportunities across the board post-apartheid. However, the discord ensued when the Chinese discovered that they were not accommodated in this deal, despite being categorised as previously disadvantaged.

Passive resistance towards these injustices reached an apex during a 2008 High Court case which led to 18 June being declared Dignity Day by SABCs. Prof Harris recounts this history as follows: “On 18 June we have the Chinese locals being declared black by Judge Cynthia Pretorius. It was claimed that according to the decision the Chinese fell in the definition of black people in the constitution, allowing them to now enjoy the full benefits of black economic empowerment.”

These prestigious annual seminars serve to honour the life and work of Stanley Trapido – a leading South African historian and Oxford University lecturer. Trapido’s personal library was donated to UFS on his death.

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus Hosts a DSD Roadshow
2012-04-04

 

In front, from  the left, in front: Joe Mosuhli (DSD Provincial Office), Ms Maboe Grey Magaiza (Lecturer: Sociology), Ms SM Khupane (Thibella Marakabeng Traditional Council), Mr Mbulaheni Mulaudzi (DSD). At the back, from the left: Dr Malete, Dr Elsa Crause (Departmental Head: Sociology), Chief Mahase (Phomolong Traditional Council), Mrs Sadi Luka (DSD), Chief QD Moloi (Makgolokweng Traditional Council), Chief Sekonyela (Thibella Traditional Council), Ms Mpontseng Kumeke (DSD) and Mrs Malikoankoetla Tsosane (Matsieng Traditional Council).

The National Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Free State Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State, hosted a road show on the professionalisation of Community Development Practice yesterday.

This inaugural road show was aimed at conceptualising and soliciting stakeholder buy-in in the new Community Development Qualification Framework, which was jointly developed by the department and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The road show also briefed stakeholders on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pilot project that will integrate the current community development workforce into the national qualification framework. Stakeholders were also briefed on the professionalisation process and were given a platform on which to talk about related issues. This included the formation of a community development association, a unified professional body and eventually, the formation of an independent statutory council.

In his welcoming remarks, Campus Principal Dr Elias Malete said that the envisaged programme of professionalising community development practice would address the local needs and bring vibrancy to affected communities. “The programme will definitely help in revitalizing our campus and the community we serve,” said Dr Malete. He was referring to the Qwaqwa Campus Revitalisation Plan. “Among the plans we have is the introduction of the four year Bachelor of Community Development degree. We are confident that our proposal will be received favourably and that we will offer this qualification from 2013,” Dr Malete said to applause from the invited guests and community members.

Talking on behalf of the provincial Department of Social Development was the department's head, Me Matlhogonolo Maboe, who emphasised the fact that large segments of communities were entirely dependent on the community development sector for their daily survival. “In professionalising the sector, we would be building vibrant rural communities and repositioning them to be better equipped in addressing what President Zuma referred to as the ‘triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality’ in his State of the Nation address in February”, said Me Maboe.

Traditional leaders from the Qwaqwa area, national and provincial departmental officials as well as students and staff of the UFS attended the road show.
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept