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28 February 2018 Photo Pixabay
Use less water and save more
Don't think twice about being water-wise

“Lift up the handle as soon as you flush. Don’t use the whole five litres at a go,” says Dr Cindé Greyling, who reckons we could save 25% of the water we flush down the toilet. Dr Greyling, who completed her PhD in Disaster Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), has spent years studying ways to shape the drought dialogue. Her voice is one that deserves our attention as citizens of this province.

Over the past five years the Free State has been experiencing heightened stress levels on reservoirs and dams due to the drought conditions induced by climate change. Since 2013 the issue has been worsening instead of improving.

Feasible water-conservation strategies
Students and staff members are advised to apply the same principle in the bathroom and kitchen alike by not letting the tap run while rinsing coffee cups. You could save a litre or two a day by (depending on how much coffee you drink and the number of cups rinsed) by quitting this bad habit. According to Dr Greyling, litter on campus is a secondary way of wasting water which many are unaware of. Litter blocks the drains and water which could have otherwise been recycled is lost in the process.

What do fellow Kovsies say?
Unamandla Mdlotshana, a third-year Actuarial Science student proposed eco-friendly adjustments that could potentially save litres of water on our campuses. He believes that using bottles to collect drinking water from taps, installing more water dispensers, and introducing hand sanitisers in bathrooms could drastically minimise water usage.

According to Dr Greyling, litter on campus is a
secondary way of wasting water which many
are unaware of. Litter blocks the drains and water,
which could have otherwise been recycled,
is lost in the process.


In Tebogo Chabangu’s view, taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, and making sure taps are properly closed are some of the ways we could be water-wise. For the Anthropology honours student being water conscious means changing habits on a daily basis.

Join us as we spread the message of reversing the effects of the drought by saving water prior to the Rector’s engagement with students at 11:30 on 08 March 2018 at the Albert Wessels Auditorium on the Bloemfontein campus.

Remember to tag us on your water-saving tips on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

News Archive

Breakfast in aid of hungry students
2011-06-01

Our university again proved that it cares for the welbeing of its students when a sum of money was presented to the No Student Hungry Project during a breakfast function.

The Centre for Health and Wellness at the UFS organised the event, not only to introduce the scheme to staff and individuals and thank those concerned for their contributions, but also to present the project organisers with a donation of R50 000. Mrs Grace Jansen, wife of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector and Dr Carin Buys, wife of Mr Rudi Buys, Student Dean, started the project this year after a study found that 20% of students at the UFS have to study on an empty stomach and that this often leads to students leaving the UFS prematurely.

Ms Tanja Malherbe, mistress of ceremonies, said that the project is blessed because it developed from the founder members’ love for the students. The project currently provides 6 000 deserving students with a meal per day.

Prof. Jansen said that although the university encourage academic success, the UFS is also ready to show its mettle on a humanitarian level. “We don’t want students to only study together, but also to eat together.” He added that food can promote a feeling of fellowship, gives comfort and is also a symbol for caring. “It is bad to be hungry, no matter what the colour of your skin. Especially when other people have food and you don’t.”He concluded by saying that we are blessed by giving to other people, and by giving, we also receive.

Ms Tarryn Nell, also from the centre, supported him by comparing caring to candlelight. “It drives the darkness away, involves compassion and gives direction. When two people can get things to change, the rest will follow.” She encouraged the audience to share their warmth, time, knowledge and resources with other people.

During the event, a picture summary also referred to two recent projects the centre hosted. The first was a free medical screening test for staff members and the second a temporary remembrance rose garden, representing the five main causes of deaths in the country. These causes are HIV, ischemic heart disease, stroke, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence.

The proceeds from Prof. Jansen’s book “We need to talk,” will be donated to the project. Persons wishing to make a contribution, can make a payment to the following account: ABSA 157085 0071, reference number 146 674 604, account number 0198, branch code 632 005. Deposit slips can be sent to pelserr@ufs.ac.za. 

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