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26 February 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Eugene Seegers
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Daniella Coetzee, South Campus Principal, Tshegofatso Setilo, Director Access, Prof Prakash Naidoo, Vice-Rector Operations
Prof Francis Petersen, Prof Daniella Coetzee (Principal: South Campus), Tshegofatso Setilo (Head: Access Programmes), and Prof Prakash Naidoo (Vice-Rector: Operations) on the South Campus for the welcoming of first-years.


“Welcome to the South Campus of the University of the Free State!” Addressing a packed Madiba Arena, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, said he was happy to see not only first-year students, but also parents and guardians, student leadership, and support staff from both the Bloemfontein and South Campuses.

 “I would like to congratulate each of our first-year students for making the decision to come to Kovsies to further your studies here. But I would also like to thank you for making this choice,” he continued.

Prof Petersen further emphasised that the students’ experience and success as individuals are important to the UFS as an institution; therefore, academic and support staff are on hand to guide them through their journey to becoming well-rounded individuals. “We will surely take care of you,” said Prof Petersen. He also reassured parents and guardians that their loved ones would be well looked after.

The Rector also focused attention on the role of student-leadership structures, such as the newly-formed Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and South Campus SRC, members of which were present in the audience. He thanked them for playing a key role in the student constituency, highlighting their support and guidance to help first-years cultivate a sense of belonging at the UFS.

Turning back to first-year students, Prof Petersen stated that they have the unique opportunity to study on a campus specifically focused on developing their full potential, a campus where they can realise their dreams. “Your arrival on the campus marks a new chapter in your life. This chapter is slightly different, as you are the author thereof. The previous chapters in your life were largely written by others—your parents, guardians, families, teachers, and others. You will now be the main author in the next chapter of your unique story.”

“At Kovsies, we believe in developing students in their totality as human beings, not just the academic side. May your time with us equip you to make a success of your life after university!”

Prof Petersen’s Message to First-year Students
  1. Take responsibility for your academic programme.
    • Keep your focus. Study and study hard. You will reap the rewards and see the advantages of making success in your studies a top priority.
    • Make sure that you have enough time for your studies; balance your social life and your time set aside to study.
  2. Realise and remember that you are not alone.
    • If you find things difficult, seek help.
    • Our Department of Student Counselling and Development has trained staff and tailor-made programmes that can assist you.
    • Look after your mental health—and look after each other’s mental health.
  3. Make the most of your time at Kovsies.
    • Join one or more of the student organisations; why not try something new?
  4. Embrace difference and diversity.
    • Get to know students who are different from you.
    • You will lose valuable opportunities to grow if you only associate with your own all the time. It is important to get to know students who are different from you. It could be someone from a different part of the country, or from another country, a different ethnicity, a different religion, someone who has different views from yours, or who has different interests and perspectives.

News Archive

ABSA sponsors Sports Weekend at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus
2004-09-23

Mr Banny Macholo Retail Banking Services Manager: ABSA (Student Bureau Bloemfontein) , Mr D T Zoko Sports Officer (UFS Qwaqwa Campus), Ms P Rabotapi Social Worker (UFS Qwaqwa Campus) and Mr Timmy Mohlakoana Retail Banking Services Manager : ABSA (Qwaqwa Branch)

In spite of the gale force winds and dust on the weekend of the 17th September, the University sporting clubs braved it in a sports gala at the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State. The sporting codes comprised soccer, netball, basketball aerobics, chess, volleyball, dance, athletics and body–building.

ABSA Bank donated R15 000.00 to facilitate the event, which began with indoor activities on Friday 17th and continued through Saturday with field sports and more indoor contests.

On behalf of ABSA, Mr Banny Macholo RBS Manager Student Bureau Bloemfontein and Mr Timmy Mohlakoana RBS Manager Phuthaditjhaba, attended the sports day. They said that the relationship that has been developed between ABSA and the UFS Qwaqwa Campus during this event, has been very profound and helpful to our immediate community, which is very rural and poor and from which most of the students are drawn They also assured the organisers that ABSA would seriously consider making it a yearly event.

Media release

Contributed by Ms Jabu Dakile

Senior Liaison Practitioner

UFS Qwaqwa Campus

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