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Red Square Upgrade artist impression
Eco-friendly measures will ensure better water management at the University of the Free State.
The first phase of an exciting environmentally focused project to upgrade Red Square between the Johannes Brill Building and the H van der Merwe Scholtz Hall on the Bloemfontein Campus is currently underway.

The project forms part of the water-wise and grey-water initiative of the University of the Free State (UFS) implemented in 2018 in response to climate change and drought conditions in the Free State, and to save water in alignment with global standards of environmental efficiency.

Out with the old, in with the new

Modern architecture will be used at Red Square to project the image of a campus that cares for the environment and believes in sustainable solutions. Phases 1, 2, and 4 of the upgrade will be dealt with during the current project. This will take approximately three months to complete, with the remaining phases to follow. 

The initiative also entails the upgrading of areas with crucial focal points that have a visible impact, such as the traffic circles at the George du Toit and Francois Retief buildings. Vegetation such as artificial grass, stones and drought-resistant plants will be the new signature look for these and other areas. 

Going green 
 
More than 100 indigenous trees will be planted as part of the initiative. This will ensure that all available water sources are used for consumption and for maintaining a healthy ecological footprint.
 
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News Archive

Golden Key International Chapter again receives prestigious award for service
2011-05-04

 
The management team of our university's Golden Key (GK) International Honours Society
Photo: Gerhard Louw

Our universities chapter of the Golden Key International Honours Society is the proud recipient of the Golden Key International Chapter Service Award for the second consecutive year.

The chapter received this $1000 award in recognition of the services they deliver to the community of the Free State and the hard work each of their members put in to ensure that their community projects run smoothly.

Mr Ruddy Banyini, the chapter president, says they feel very privileged to know that the chapter’s work  receives international recognition.  “We feel so privileged that the work of our chapter is appreciated internationally and that it will serve as motivation to everyone to start giving back to their communities,” he said.

The UFS chapter adopted The House of Compassion, an orphanage on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, at the start of 2010. They have collaborated with associations such as the PSA and visit the house on weekends to play with the children. They have also donated food, clothing and shoes. “Our chapter’s motto is ‘It’s not how happy we are that matters, but how happy others are because of us’” Mr Banyini said.

The chapter was selected as one of the 10 most deserving chapters from a possible 390 university and college chapters worldwide, based on their community-service activities. The chapter was also selected to host the South African Regional Golden Key Summit from 06 - 08 October 2011, which means that our university will host the top 15% of achievers from all South African universities.

Mr Banyini said this is a dream come true, since their chapter’s main goal is to see our university as  South Africa’s Golden Key reference point.

The GK UFS Chapter will soon be starting a “Together means Warm” campaign which will attempt  to provide winter clothes, shoes and new school shoes to the children of the orphanage and also improve their living condition.

“I would like to urge everybody to keep in mind that the community is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr Banyini said.
 

Media Release
4 May 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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