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09 April 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba
William Kandowe, principal of the Albert Street School in Johannesburg, Dr Faith Mkwananzi, the author, and DR Chris High
From right: William Kandowe, principal of the Albert Street School in Johannesburg, Dr Faith Mkwananzi, the author, and DR Chris High, Senior Lecturer at Linnaeus University in Sweden, at the book launch.

Dr Faith Mkwananzi’s road from secondary school to university has been paved with challenges. After repeating her matric five times in Zimbabwe, she became an international university student in South Africa in 2006. Some years later, on 3 April 2019, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus witnessed the launch of her excellent book titled: Higher Education, Youth and Migration in Contexts of Disadvantages: Understanding Aspirations and Capabilities, which was informed by these and many circumstances.

Aspirations formation

The book speaks to her own life. “Born and raised in Zimbabwe in KwaBulawayo, I had my own aspirations. I knew I did not want be a nurse   my mother’s earnest interest and desire for me,” said Dr Mkwananzi as she related the fluid dreams her seven-year-old self had that culminated into aspirations to enter academia.

Aspirations enabled Dr Mkwananzi’s capabilities to pursue a PhD in Development Studies at UFS, and then write her book. “Higher education aspirations are worth pursuing,” said the current postdoctoral researcher at the university’s South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) in Higher Education and Human Development Research Programme, as she reflected on her academic journey.

Voices of marginalised migrants
 

Dr Mkwananzi has focused her book on the lives, experiences and the formation of higher education aspirations among marginalised migrant youth in Johannesburg. She gives these young people a voice to narrate their own story, making this research an essential work for understanding the conditions necessary for youth to live valuable lives in both local and international contexts. 

News Archive

UFS celebrates Kovsie Week
2009-08-21

The University of the Free State (UFS) will be celebrating Kovsie Week from 31 August to 4 September 2009. The week affords friends, colleagues and former colleagues of the UFS the opportunity to enjoy one another’s company and to experience what the university offers.

The programme is as follows:

On Monday, 31 August 2009, a star-gazing programme and lecture entitled “400 Years of Astronomy after Galileo” are presented by Prof. Matie Hoffman at the Boyden Observatory at 17:30 for 18:00. Attendance is free and bus transport will be available from the UFS Main Campus for the first 70 guests that respond. Reserved parking has been arranged with a security guard to look after the cars that are left on the campus.

On Tuesday, 1 September 2009, guests can attend the production by Pieter Venter entitled “Impi” for free in the Wynand Mouton Theatre at 14:30 for 15:00.

On Wednesday, 2 September 2009, an enjoyable morning in the company of Mr Derek de Bruyn from the National Museum is presented at the Centenary Complex of the UFS at 09:30 for 10:00. He will talk about the social life of Bloemfontein during the early 1900s and guests will be entertained by the Boere Orkes of Grey College Primary School under the direction of Santjie Louw. Attendance of this event is free.

On Thursday, 3 September 2009, at 19:00 for 19:30, a candle-light, sherry and soup evening with romantic piano music is presented at the UFS Centenary Complex by Prof. Nicol Viljoen from the UFS’s Department of Music. The programme includes, amongst others, 10 Lieder ohne worte (Felix Mendelssohn), as well as Ballade No. 1 (Fryderyk Chopin). Attendance of this event is also free.

The week will end with the Kovsie-Alumni Award Gala Dinner that will take place in the UFS Centenary Complex on Friday, 4 September 2009, at 18:30 for 19:00.
The cost per person for the dinner is R120. The Kovsie of the Year Award for alumni, the Cum Laude Award, and the Alumni Award for Exceptional Service at the UFS will be awarded at this occasion.

Transport can be arranged to all the functions and parking will be available as close as possible to the venue where the functions take place. Persons interested to attend any of the functions can contact Annanda Calitz at 051 401 3382 or ficka.stg@ufs.ac.za, or Ms Kathy Verwey at 051 401 9343 or verweyke.stg@ufs.ac.za.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
21 August 2009

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