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13 December 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo iStock
safety, road safety
Safety comes first, fun festive second.

Safety never takes a holiday. The University of the Free State’s Department of Protection Services wishes the Kovsie community happy and safe holidays.

Heed these tips when travelling, away on holiday or in the street.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and any suspicious-looking persons or behaviour (especially in queues);
  • Report any suspicious behaviour or activity to the central security on-site or the South African Police Services;
  • Be alert when leaving shopping centres. Should you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station;
  • Jamming devices are frequently used by criminals, so ensure that your vehicle is locked by physically checking it before leaving;
  • All valuables must be safely stowed away in the boot or under the seats in order to avoid smash and grab incidents;
  • Do not leave your handbags or valuables unattended while shopping; and
  • Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.Happy holidays! Enter 2020 safe and secure!

Happy holidays! Enter 2020 safe and secure!

News Archive

UFS architects receive SAIA award
2003-11-07

Two staff members of the University of the Free State’s Department of Architecture received a merit award from the South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) for the unique way in which they designed their home.

Prof Jan and Mrs Petria Smit’s home in Waverley, Bloemfontein is built against a hill and designed in such a way that the natural surroundings are retained. The house is built on various levels and open spaces and a lot of light is used. The children’s rooms are for example not built up to the ceiling in order to break walls out if more space is needed.

For the two architects the natural surroundings in the cityscape depict an African mask because the strong face-like public image is sheltering the inhabitants behind it.

A total of 12 architectural projects country wide received merit awards from the SAIA. Some of the projects include the South African Apartheids Museum, Unilever’s Head Office in Durban, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in Nelspruit and the Westcliff Estate in Johannesburg. The Smit residence is one of only two residences that received merit awards.

From these projects the PG Group SAIA Award for Excellence will be awarded in August 2004. This is the highest accolade that the SAIA and the architectural profession can accord to a building.

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