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11 September 2018 Photo Stephen Collett
Outstanding Alumni awarded
Attending the awards evening were from the left: Dr Mafu Rakometsi; Gustav Wilson; Dr Pieter du Toit, National Executive Alumni Chairperson; Ace Moloi; Dr Khotso Mokhele; Prof Dave Lubbe; Dr Suzanne Staples; Prof Francis Petersen; Bertus Jacobs, and Tshepo Moloi.
A medical doctor, an economist, an author, and experts in the fields of Information Technology, Education, Management and Sociology are the winners of this year’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. 

This is the 36th year that the UFS honours those alumni who are not only flying the Kovsie flag high, but are inspiring excellence and transforming lives.

Chancellor’s Challenge

UFS Chancellor Dr Khotso Mokhele had a sobering message for those who attended the awards ceremony on 8 September. He shared how, on a recent visit to the US, he had a chance to visit the campus of Facebook in Seattle, and heard how every year Facebook received more than two million CVs from prospective employees – 98% of whom sported A-average grades. Management then confided in him that they never hired a CV, but rather a mindset.

“They sift through all those applications, looking for someone with a vision to disrupt the status quo,” Mokhele said. “This continent will be left behind if we don’t adopt that mindset – that confidence that borders on arrogance – that we can change the world. Are we ready for that challenge?” 

The recipients in the various categories are:

Chancellor's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year:       
Danie Meintjes – Former Group Chief Executive Officer of Mediclinic

Cum Laude Awards
Dr Mafu Rakometsi ¬ Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi)
Dr Suzanne Staples, Principal Investigator at the Tuberculosis & HIV Investigative Network (THINK)

Kovsie Ambassador Awards
Tshepo Moloi – Economist at the South African Reserve Bank
Bertus Jacobs – Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt
Gustav Wilson, Regional Head (Development and Care) Department of Correctional Services 

Executive Management Award
Prof Dave Lubbe – Research Fellow and Professor at UFS School of Accountancy.

Young Alumnus of the Year
Ace Moloi – Author and literary consultant

News Archive

Government to benefit from training of interpreters
2009-03-31

 
Pictured, from the left, are: Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management, UFS), Ms Mokone Nthongoa (HOD: Sport, FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture), Mr Khotso Sesele (MEC: FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture) and Prof Engela Pretorius (Vice Dean: Faculty of the Humanities, UFS).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe
Government to benefit from training of interpreters

The fourth phase of a project to train eight conference interpreters and 30 community interpreters to assist government departments at service delivery points in the Free State was launched this week.

The project is part of the Multilingualism Information Development Programme which brings together the Free State provincial government, the Province of Antwerp and the University of Antwerp in Belgium and the University of the Free State (UFS).

Speaking at the launch of the fourth phase of the project, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the Free State, Mr Khotso Sesele, said: “The fact that we have been through the first three stages of this project, and are now launching its fourth phase, is indicative of the magnificent progress that has been made. This is a sign that through partnerships we can achieve more.”

The MIDP IV consists of two pillars, namely a practical and a research component. Its aim is to generate interpreting capacity within the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The focus is on training an interpreting team over three years which can be employed within a governmental context at various service points.

“As we approach the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments, it will be important for our communities to be able to interact with millions of foreign nationals who will be in our country from different world destinations during and beyond these two important soccer events,” said the MEC.

“The focus on interpreter training by this fourth phase of MIDP is thus an important factor in ensuring better communication during and beyond these important soccer spectacles that will take place in our country.”
The focus of the first three phases of the MIDP was on the main official languages of the province. This fourth phase, which started in 2008, will run until 2010 and its focus is on the Xhariep District Municipality.

“The provision of interpreting services and its further extension to district municipalities will provide the necessary interpreting skills to our communities that will enhance better interaction amongst ourselves,” said Mr Sesele.

He said the fact that indigenous languages have been “elevated from their marginalised status to being languages of business and commerce” is an important milestone that must be cherished.

This fourth phase of MIDP will also incorporate sign language as part of its focus on interpreting services.

“In our quest to ensure a multilingual dispensation in our province, we need not neglect to remember people with disabilities,” he said. “This is a matter of principle that does not require debate.”

“We should thus ensure the realisation of the goal of MIDP IV which is to ensure smooth communication interaction within the wider public, including the deaf community.”

“This is a wonderful project,” said Ms Mathabo Monaheng, one of the students in the MIDP. “As a sign language interpreter trainee this project will empower me with the necessary skills to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the deaf community in terms of communication.”

The MIDP is funded by the Province of Antwerp and successfully implemented by the Unit for Language Management at the UFS.

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  
31 March 2009

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