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31 July 2018 Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Decor and building products showcased at BloemBuild Expo
Want to build your own home? On offer at this year’s BloemBuild Expo was something for everyone, from the prospective student who wants to study architecture, to property developers. Ilana Serfontein from Acorn Construction and Zack Wessels, one of the organisers of the event from the UFS Department of Architecture, contributed to the success of this annual event.

With the recent drought in many parts of South Africa, the theme for this year’s BloemBuild Expo was ‘How to survive the drought’, with much emphasis on energy-saving materials, grey-water systems and environmental-friendly products. Some presentations, supporting the theme, included talks on design for sustainability, nature-based solutions for drought conditions as well as the role of grey-water systems for food security.

The University of the Free State (UFS) was this year again the host of the Expo which provided a showcase for the latest décor trends and building products. The event that took place in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus was presented by the South African Institute of Architects Free State Region in conjunction with University Estates and the Department of Architecture.

Students from the Department of Architecture exhibited their models and took first place in the Corobrik tower building challenge. Also from the Department of Architecture was a lecture by Kobus du Preez on the ‘Architectural Highlights of Bloemfontein’. Jan Ras from the same department delivered a lecture: ‘To architect or not to architect – how to choose your architect’. 

Ras said the relationship between homeowner and architect stretched over several months: from the first meeting until the key is put in the front door. He said he believed professional architects were there to make dreams come true. 

Visitors could enjoy, view and take part in the Expo which offered something for everyone including academics, members of the community, the industry and professionals. 

This year’s event also saw a big colouring-in competition in which members of the public took part in

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No Student Hungry Programme presented with a generous donation
2015-05-18

From Left: Prof Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Mrs Grace Jansen, Custodian of the NSH, Ms Lynsie Pelser, PSA Free State Social Responsibility Chairperson, Dr Vuyo Dyantyi, PSA President, and Mr Gerhard Koorts, PSA Provincial Manager.

The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) presented a cheque for R55 500 to the No Student Hungry Programme on 7 May 2015 at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. The PSA has been a proud supporter of NSH, and of initiatives such as the NSH 1000/33 Stride that saw four volunteers walk from Bloemfontein to Cape Town to raise funds for the programme from the send-off on 1 May 2014 to the welcoming on 3 June 2014 in Cape Town.

On receiving the cheque, Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the university and all the students who stand to benefit from this initiative.

As a politically non-affiliated union, the PSA’s main focus is labour development and community support throughout the Free State and nationally. The NSH has received a total of R165 000, donated by the union since 2014, which supports more than 25 students.

The President of the PSA, Dr Vuyo Dyantyi, said “Our motto is to invest in human potential, and in programmes that will give the future generation a chance to prosper.”

The No Student Hungry Programme supports more than 130 students each year with daily meals, mentorship, and support on all three campuses.

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