Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
26 January 2019 | Story Lacea Loader

The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has noted with concern the disconcerting effects of the current political and economic crisis and instability in Zimbabwe – specifically with regard to the effect it has on its students from Zimbabwe.

“As part of a coordinated support effort driven by the UFS Office for International Affairs we have invited Zimbabwean students to communicate their individual challenges regarding finance, travel, and special examinations to us.

We have received various reports about problems with delayed visas and have appealed to the Department of Home Affairs to consider concessions for our affected Zimbabwean students,” says Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Director of the university’s Office for International Affairs.

Arrangements are being made on a case-by-case basis for students who were unable to register before the closing date. Students who have reported travel challenges are also being contacted individually to consider possible support.

“As an institution committed to the furtherance of social justice – not only on our campuses, but also in the wider Southern African region – the UFS wants to encourage our affected students not to abandon their all-important education plans in the light of the turmoil and obstacles they are currently facing. As a university community, our heartfelt sympathy goes to our Zimbabwean students and their families during these trying times,” says Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

News Archive

UFS staff makes a difference
2010-05-04

 
From the left are: Ms Annemarie Ludick, Senior Officer at the UFS; Mr Gerald and Mrs Luchelle Blaauw of the Ebenhauser Intermediary School in Wepener; and Mr Philemon Bitso, Assistant Officer: Corporate Relations at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
A group of staff members at the University of the Free State (UFS) made a donation to Mr Gerald Blaauw and his wife, Luchelle, both teachers at the Ebenhauser Intermediary School in Wepener, in reaction to an article that appeared in Volksblad’s Kontrei of 28 April 2010.

The money will be used to buy a stove and pots to prepare food for the 646 learners in this school.

When Mrs Blaauw, who has been at the school for ten years now, got involved in the school’s feeding scheme, she noticed a great need for food amongst the learners. It motivated her to start a vegetable garden. With spinach, cabbage, beetroot, beans, peas and carrots in the garden but no stove or pots to cook the vegetables, Mrs Blaauw was very happy when she learned about the donation from the UFS.

Mrs Blaauw has plans to expand the garden. “We would like to daily give the children a plate of food at 10:00 and a cup of soup again in the afternoon,” she said.

Mr Mickey Gordon, Head: Corporate Relations, Institutional Advancement and Sport at the UFS, said: “It is remarkable that a teacher will go to so much effort for the children. This school is part of our Free State community and we like to help.”

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept