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09 January 2019 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Thabo Kessah
Ntebohiseng Sekhele Read More
Ntebohiseng Sekhele hopes her PhD study will address conservation conflicts that exist between communities and protected areas.
The University of the Free State’s Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) based on the Qwaqwa Campus has recently concluded the process of recruiting candidates for the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP). Through this programme, two historically disadvantaged South African universities; Universities of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus) and Venda (UNIVEN) and three universities in the United States will be collaborating on a number of PhD research projects.

“The programme is funded through the US-SA Higher Education Network and will give candidates and their supervisors the opportunity to regularly travel to the USA and spend time at participating US universities where their co-promoters will be based and allow them to collaborate with identified suitable academics based at those institutions,” said Prof Geofrey Mukwada, Associate Professor in Geography and the coordinator of the project.

One of the young academics selected for this is Ntebohiseng Sekhele from the Geography Department. She will be doing her research in collaboration with the Colorado State University.

“I am delighted to be part of this programme and it still feels like a dream. I feel honored to be selected to participate in such a prestigious programme. To be chosen amongst other applicants means the coordinators believe in my potential, and I look forward to working towards my full potential,” said Sekhele, who describes herself as ‘a simple and ambitious village girl from Monontsha in Qwaqwa.’ 

Sekhele’s proposed PhD study will focus on determining strategies and impacts of conservation practices by the local communities. “It will address conservation conflicts that exist between communities and protected areas; different interpretations of sustainability (including indigenous knowledge) and offer recommendations of harmonising the conservation practices with the sustainability of conservation areas. There is a great need to develop management strategies that will simultaneously satisfy conservation and human needs. She will be graduating with an MSc (Environmental Geography) degree in 2019.

Other US universities involved in the UCDP are Appalachian State University (ASU) and University of Montana (UoM).

News Archive

Fundraising while having fun
2016-01-25

With the Receive And Give (RAG) Community Service processions and festival around the corner, the public can expect loads of festive fun for the whole family. 

Over the years, RAG has grown in popularity among the Bloemfontein community as the official launch of the social calendar. At the beginning of each year, the streets come alive with thousands of students from the University of the Free State and their colourful floats. They are joined by spectators from all over the city. 

Float building

The ‘Cartoons, Animation and children snacks’ theme for 2016, has kept first-year students and RAG representatives working tirelessly since 18 January 2016, building majestic floats that are sure to entice on-lookers.

Ritsim Magazine sales

The annual RAG publication, Ritsim, is now available for only R25 a copy. All proceeds are channelled into different charities across the country.

This year, in a joint venture between Kovsie RAG and Volksblad, approximately 8000 Ritsims will be sold as a package deal with all the newspapers in the Northern Cape and Free State. 

The processions

About 10 000 meals will be distributed to needy residents of the Heidedal and Mangaung communities at the Twin City mall after the morning procession.

Floats will be judged prior to the morning procession. The float winners will be announced at 17:00 at the RAG Farm, and the winners will lead the afternoon procession. 

Date: 30 January 2016 
Times: 10:00 (morning procession) and 18:00 (afternoon procession)
Route for morning procession: Pelonomi Hospital to Twin City mall
Route for evening procession: Tempe traffic light at Nelson Mandela Drive to Old Grey Sports Grounds

The festival 

After a day of chanting, collecting donations, and feeding the community, the RAG festival will round out the day with good music. Both young and old will be entertained by well-known and vibrant artists such as Vusi Mahlasela, Karen Zoid, and Francois van Coke.

Date: 30 January 2016
Time: Gates open at 16:00
Place: Old Grey Sports Grounds

Tickets are available from Computicket and at the gate for R100 per person and R50 per student or children under 12 years of age.

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