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18 April 2018 Photo Varsity Cup
Vishuis crowned Varsity Cup Residence Rugby champs three consecutive years
Heinrich Nieuwenhuizen, flanker of Vishuis, was named the Player that Rocks in the final of the Varsity residence competition.
Vishuis players are prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it means practising on Friday evenings or on Saturdays. 

According to head coach, Zane Botha, this is one of the reasons behind the residence’s success on the rugby field.

Vishuis defended its title as the country’s rugby residence champions when they smashed Patria from the North-West University with 55-29 in the final of the Varsity residence competition on Monday 16 April 2018. It was their third consecutive national crown, and their sixth overall. 

The winning margin was the biggest ever in a final of the competition. 

“The players play for each other and have a huge work ethic. Nothing will hold them back from striving to be the best,” said Botha, who captained Tuks to the Varsity Cup crown in 2012. This is his second year as Vishuis coach.

Strong brotherhood
Captain Henco Posthumus, who played in his fifth final, said there is a strong brotherhood in the hostel. “We are a very small residence with a rich history spanning over 111 years, and all of us know each other. People such as our coach, Zane Botha, played a big role. I have a world of respect for him for what he has done with the team, so all the credit to the coaching staff as well.”

The University of the Free State has dominated the competition since its inception in 2008, proving just how strong hostel rugby is here.

Apart from the six titles for Vishuis, Armentum (2009) and Heimat (2014) both won the trophy before, while Vishuis was also the runner-up in 2015.

News Archive

UFS DiMTEC will help compile national emergency management system
2017-10-11

Description: UFS DiMTEC will help compile national emergency management system Tags: UFS DiMTEC will help compile national emergency management system

Preparedness and response are the two most important aspects of managing disaster when it strikes. Prof Andries Jordaan, Head of the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently attended an incident command course in California in the US.

Learning from US disaster management systems
More than 20 specialists from 17 countries attended the course where participants were introduced to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in the US. The system was implemented after lessons learned during 9/11. “According to the NIMS structure, all government organisations at all levels as well as emergency agencies had to standardise terminology and systems,” said Prof Jordaan.

The professor also had the opportunity to visit among others the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) headquarters in California, some State Coordination Centres as well as several other disaster management centres. He also had the chance to shadow an Incident Management Team (IMT) during active operations.

Providing training for local disaster management
Insight gained during this course, as well as Prof Jordaan’s experience as senior officer in the South African National Defence Reserve Forces, provided him the necessary background to conduct training and give assistance in terms of disaster management.

Through DiMTEC Prof Jordaan will assist the National Disaster Management Centre with the implementation of a national emergency management system. He will also provide training for incident management teams.

“DiMTEC is currently also in the process of developing a Master module in disaster response. Command and control and Incident Command will form a sub-module in the disaster response module,” he said.

From South Africa, Prof Jordaan was joined on the course by General Elias Mpumelelo Mahlabane from the South African Police Services, who is responsible for disaster management in the SAPS. Savage Breytenbach, a trainer in rural fire fighting who assists Mangaung with command and control structures, also attended the course.

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