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UFS Debate Society to compete in upcoming World Championships

The UFS Debate Society is a diverse, cross-boundary team of UFS students who are not strangers to success, and who are exceptionally brilliant at what they do. Before winning the largest open debating competition in Africa in 2018, the team had qualified and competed in the finals for three consecutive years since 2015. The society has now been selected to compete in the Cape Town Open Debating Competition this coming weekend from 27 to 29 April, in a build-up to the World Championships taking place in December 2018.

According to the UFS Debate Society Chairperson, Tshiamo Malatji: “Thinking artistically about debating requires one to make use of creative reasoning, and essentially, lateral thinking is of importance, even in your everyday life conversations, because you will never fundamentally agree with someone who has opinions which are opposed to yours, but you will be able to appreciate where they are coming from.”

The team is also involved in organising dialogues on our Bloemfontein Campus, such as the Student Rights Dialogue, which brings together various stakeholders of the university for a discussion about human rights. They also conduct debating workshops and, together with the Department of Basic Education, function as judges for debates in the broader Bloemfontein community for less advantaged schools in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Tweespruit, and Dewetsdorp.

The Debate Society is set to host a Global Politics Seminar that will analyse and explain the forces that influence international politics, and South Africa's standpoint in the global perspective. This seminar, taking place in October, will focus on the activities of chief global actors, and some of the core crises that can shape students’ understanding of current foreign affairs. The seminar will comprise presentations from knowledgeable local students and Debate Society alumni, which will conclude with a fiery debate by the society on the dynamic and controversial topic of South Africa's future in the international political arena. 

Access to the seminar is reserved for donors who will pledge their support to the society’s journey to the upcoming World Championships. For more information on how to pledge, visit the World Championships Pledge.

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News Archive

Diversity targets in most residences reached, says UFS Rector
2008-02-01

The integration of student residences at the University of the Free State (UFS) is proceeding smoothly and the diversity targets in most of the formerly white residences, except one, have been reached.

This is according to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, who was speaking today during the official opening of the University.

However, he did acknowledge that the diversity target for white male students who should be living in formerly black male residences has been very difficult to attain.

“It is hoped that new initiatives will result in more success in this regard in 2009. Other elements of the approved residence diversity plan also create new opportunities for addressing this problem”, he said.

Prof Fourie also commended the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the student leadership of the UFS for assisting with the implementation of the new policy.

Last year the University Council set a target of achieving a minimum diversity level of 30% in all junior residences in 2008.

Media release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
01 February 2008
 

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