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18 September 2018 Photo Charl Devenish
Students urged to help combat crime
What to do in case of an attack? The UFS taekwondo team taught students a trick or two.
Speaking at the official opening of Safety Week, newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC) president of the Bloemfontein Campus called for students to come to the party in the fight against crime. “We encourage students to participate because it cannot just be the SRC, university management, and the police. Students need to join the Community Police Forum because these platforms are there for us to engage in. You must not die in silence, if there is a problem, raise it,” said Sonwabile Dwaba.

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Protection Services in collaboration with the university’s BSafe campaign hosted the Safety Week from 3-6 September 2018 on the Bloemfontein and South campuses with the objective of keeping students and staff members informed on the measures in place, addressing pressing safety-related concerns, brainstorm ideas on how to beef up security, and distributing safety souvenirs.

Collaborative efforts encouraged

Brigadier Maehlo Lento, reporting on behalf of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner, said: “Robbery incidents have subsided but we still need to make sure that we continue and collaborate with students and all other roleplayers to make sure that we sustain the safety.”

The collective participation sentiment was also reflected by Prof Prakash Naidoo, Vice-Rector: Operations. “We are hoping through our annual Safety Week to reiterate our commitment to the safety of students, as well as bringing all roleplayers together to reflect on areas of cooperation and collaboration in an effort to improve the safety of student.”

Not just physical safety

Issues of mental health were discussed by the Next Chapter student organisation, while Embrace a Sister student organisation spoke about femicide and the safety of women. The scourge of gender-based violence formed the focal point of the Gender and Sexual Equity office’s address. In addition the Student Counselling and Development division offered invaluable advice on where those who exhibit symptoms of depression can seek help.

Other stakeholders who contributed to the success of this year’s Safety Week were the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Police, Roads and Transport, as well as Sector 3 Community Police Forum. 

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News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus: Student off to Germany
2004-04-01

Abey Tau will be traveling to Germany in mid- August to attend an international conference under the auspices of AISEC.
Born and bred in the dusty streets of Riverside in Phuthaditjhaba, an avid reader and student activist, Abey is rapidly ascending to greater heights.

He is presently studying towards completion of his B. Admin degree at the University of the Free State Qwaqwa campus and has also been to Switzerland in the recent past.

Describing the experience, Abey said “being away from home, the influence of culture, tradition, friendship and the local environment opened my eyes to another perspective that I did not know existed before I took a step looked out of my country and at it from another angle”. He believes it will be refreshing to interact with students from across the globe and share thoughts with them.

“Ability is what you are capable of doing, motivation determines what you do and attitude determines how well you do it” Tau said, beaming confidence and enthusiasm. When the opportunity to visit Germany presented itself, he approached the office of the Coordinator of Student Affairs for assistance. Communication with the Office of the Vice Rector, Dr. Ezekiel Moraka led to the realization of Abey’s dream when funds were acquired to assist him. He will become an ambassador for his organization, the university and the country at large. We are therefore proud and wish him well.

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