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11 July 2018 Photo Johan Roux
GLS explores global view on gender and intersectionality
Students share their views on hard- hitting global issues
Race, gender, and inequality, a sharp focus in modern society, was discussed at the first session of day two of the Global Leadership Summit (GLS), on 10 July 2018. A panel discussion was led by Prof Ahmed Bawa, CEO of Universities South Africa and Prof Danie Brand, Director: Free State Centre for Human Rights at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Identity and gender issues important to youth
During the panel discussion, Dr Yvonne L Terrell-Powell from Edmond Community College, Seattle, in the US, spoke on the expectations put on first-generation students as they enter the higher education space. “In the United States when I was a student, in predominantly black universities, the expectation was to be involved in civic and political engagements, and not to only study.” Intersectionality was discussed and how identity is used as a criterion for exclusion, marginalisation and the perpetuation of all forms of “isms” and disregard of minority groups such as LGBTIQ+ communities. Other panellists included Pura Mgolombane, Dean of Student Affairs at UFS, Dr Vivienne Felix, Director: Experiential Learning, New York University, Margo Van Muylder, a student from the University of Antwerp, and Dr Segun Obadire, Director of International Relations at University of Venda.

Delegates were entertained by an Arts and Social Justice Theatre Production Psalm 69 and a play named Cosmology and Culture; Patriarchy. A dialogue on the play ensued between the audience and members of the cast who discussed abuse of women and the disabled, and the role of men, with experiences shared from a global perspective.

Reconciliation and transformation give hope
The second session commenced with a panel discussion on reconciliation and transformation titled “Stepping up and committing to change: A vision for the youth in terms of socio-economic reconciliation and transformation”. The session was moderated by Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, alongside Dr Glen Taylor Senior Director: Research Development at UFS, with panellists from various sectors such as business, student leaders, human rights organisations and the Bloemfontein Business Chamber.
 
Ndaba Ntsele, Executive Chairman of Pamodzi Group and former UFS Council member and panellist spoke of the ability to overcome challenges that can hold one back. “You need to decolonise and detribalise yourself, see yourself first as a human being, never fear or feel that your background can hold you back.” Dr Glen Taylor, Senior Director: Directorate Research Development, spoke of the impact of research that is being produced at UFS. “Instead of the number of articles published, we need to ask what the impact is of our research in society.”

The summit is a joint programme between the UFS International Office, Student Affairs and the Institute of Reconciliation and Social Justice. It will continue with more panel discussions, robust engagements and more activities until 14 July. The programme includes an excursion to Kimberley and the Galeshewe township in Northern Cape. Delegates will have the opportunity to attend the annual Vrystaat Kunstefees/Free State Arts Festival which will be held on the Bloemfontein Campus from 10-14 July, as well as other African theatre productions.

News Archive

New SRC: Records of support and a victory for women
2014-09-04


Ms Mosa Leteane and Ms Louzanne Coetzee
Photo: Johan Roux

While campuses across South Africa regularly report falling voter turnout in campus elections of student representatives, the University of the Free State, in its recently completed SRC elections, registered record levels of support across our campuses with a total voter turnout of 44%. At the Bloemfontein Campus 34,4% of students voted (5052 votes) and 53,3% (1583 votes) at the Qwaqwa Campus.

Also, for the first time under the new SRC constitution, students elected a woman to lead the student body – Ms Mosa Leteane was elected as President. Another first was the election of a blind woman to the SRC – Ms Louzanne Coetzee. She will be responsible for student accessibility of our Bloemfontein SRC. This marks a victory for women in student governance.

Mr Tulasizwe Sithole was elected as the President of the SRC at our Qwaqwa Campus.

The election of Ms Leteane as President underscores the progress achieved for gender equality with near half of her SRC consisting of women (48%).

These successes are all the more significant, since this is the 4th year of elections under newly adopted SRC constitutions that allow for broader participation of diverse student constituencies in student governance.

This means that the crucial 3-year mark to test a new approach and method in governance and elections was not only successfully reached, but also in its 4th year shows the constitution as one that sustains its impact to deepen democracy and citizenship among our 30,000-strong student body.

“The results of the SRC elections across campuses show that our students are not only ready to lead our campus communities on issues relating to justice, freedom and democracy beyond our societal legacies of race and gender, but do so also for the student movement nationally. We’re immensely proud of our students, who show courage and resilience to choose leaders not for expediency, but for significance, and to lead not for some, but for all”, the Dean of Student Affairs, Rudi Buys, said.

The Qwaqwa SRC was installed on 2 September 2014, while the Bloemfontein SRC will be installed on 5 September. The Central SRC will be established on 14 September by joint sitting of the two SRCs.

The SRC members 2014/15 at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses are as follows:

Bloemfontein Elective portfolios:
President: Ms Mosa Leteane
Vice Pres: Mr Waldo Staude
Secretary: Ms Dineo Motaung
Treasurer: Ms Maphenye Maditsi
Arts & Culture: Mr Stefan van der Westhuizen
Accessibility & Student Support: Ms Louzanne Coetzee
First Generation Students: Ms Mpho Khati
Media, Marketing & Liaison: Ms Lethabo Maebana
Legal & Constitutional Affairs: Mr Lindokuhle Ntuli
Sport: Ms Dominique de Gouveia
Student development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Victor Ngubeni
Transformation: Mr Tumelo Rapitsi

Bloemfontein Ex officio Portfolios
Dialogue & Ex officio: Associations Student Council: Mr Piet Thibane
Academic Affairs & Ex officio: Academic Affairs Student Council: Mr Jonathan Ruwanika
Residence Affairs & Ex officio: Campus Residences Student Council: Ms Melissa Taljaard
City student Affairs & Ex officio: Commuter Student Council: Ms Kerry-Beth Berry
Post graduate Affairs & Ex officio: Post Graduate Student Council: Ms Masabata Mokgesi
International Affairs & Ex officio: International Student Council: Mr Makate Maieane
Student Media Affairs & Ex officio: Student Media Council: Mr Samuel Phuti
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Fundraising Council: Mr Johan du Plessis
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Community Service Council: Mr Manfred Titus

Qwaqwa Elective portfolios:
President General: Mr Thulasizwe Sithole
Deputy President: Ms Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary General: Mr Vukani Ntuli
Treasurer General: Mr Langelihle Mbense
Media & Publicity: Ms Nongcebo Qwabe
Politics & Transformation: Ms Nkosiphile Zwane

Qwaqwa Ex officio Portfolios
Student Development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Ndumiso Memela
Academic Affairs: Mr Simon Mofekeng
Arts & Cultural Affairs: Ms Samkelo Mtshali
Off-Campus Students: Mr Khanyisani Mbatha
RAG, Community Service & Dialogue: Mr Njabulo Mabaso
Religious Affairs: Mr Mfundo Nxumalo
Residence & Catering Affairs: Ms Ntombifuthi Radebe
Sports Council: Mr Luvuno

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