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25 January 2019 | Story Zama Feni | Photo Zama Feni
Sinoxolo Gcilitshane
Former UFS student and former Bloemfontein teacher, Sinoxolo Gcilitshane, received a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship to study further at the University of Cape Town.

The education career of a University of the Free State alumnus and budding teacher, Sinoxolo Gcilitshane, has been given a boost after he was granted a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship to do a Bachelor of Education Honours at the University of Cape Town this year.

This prestigious offer comes after only one year of teaching experience at Petunia Secondary School in Bloemfontein, where the 25-year-old first plied his trade as an educator in English and Social Sciences since January last year.

Gcilitshana, who holds a Bachelor of Education in Further Education and Training Phase from the University of the Free State, has since resigned from his teaching job.

His honours programme will focus on the teaching of History. “I chose this area simply because I still can’t believe the impact of my Grade 12 History teacher, the handsome Zimbabwean, Vimbai Muchabaiwa. His competency, commitment, and inspiring pedagogy really inspired me to such an extent that I decided that one day, I want to be like him, to teach like him, and love students in the same way he loves us.”

It is Gcilitshana’s resolute belief in himself that led to him receiving this esteemed opportunity. “There were those who told me that the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is not for average students like me, and I believed them, because I couldn’t even speak proper English when I joined the UFS.”

“I never imagined myself as a beneficiary of this prestigious scholarship; nevertheless, I decided to brush aside any beliefs of self-doubt about myself. I then applied, and here I am today through the grace of our Almighty,” he said.

“My philosophy in life is that nobody owes you anything – not a job, not a greeting. It is therefore important for everyone, especially young people, to build their brand and to always chase excellence in all that they do – not money.

Asked where he would like to see himself in five years’ time, Gcilitshane, who was the Prime of Khayalami Residence once, brimmed with excitement when he said: “Within the next five years, I hope that I will be tasked with the responsibility and special privilege of teaching at a university anywhere in the country, where I will get the opportunity to work really hard and do my research and become one of the leading scholars in my field of specialisation.” He intends going for a master’s degree after finishing this programme.

 

News Archive

UFS student government elections declared free and fair
2015-09-04

The 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) elections on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) have been declared free and fair.

The institutional Independent Election Commission Chairperson, Mandla Ndlangamandla, commended the high level of cooperation displayed by all students who participated in the peaceful and organised elections on the Qwaqwa Campus.

“We are proud to indicate that from the beginning of the election process, there were no incidents of intimidation, disruption, threats, and violence that were reported,” he said.

Announcing the election results at Bloemfontein Campus, the representative of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Andrew Ndelele, also confirmed that the commission had ensured that the elections were credible.

Voter turn-out increased at both campuses compared to the previous year. The elections, which took place from Friday 28 August to 1 September 2015, saw 8% and 0.7% increases in votes casted at the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, respectively. 

Paseka Sikhosana, President-elect of the Qwaqwa Campus, commended the unity and orderliness displayed by students: “After the polling stations had closed, we came together and sang in peace”.

Incoming SRC President of the Bloemfontein Campus, Lindokuhle Ntuli, also endorsed the impartiality of the elections, while expressing how humbled he was by the support he received during the campaigning period.

Bloemfontein elective portfolios:



Bloemfontein Campus president: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Photo: Johan Roux

President: Lindokuhle Ntuli
Vice-President: Mpho Khati
Secretary: Tsietso Mafaso
Treasurer: Katleho Masheane
Culture: Delia Moumakwe
Sport: Kabelo Elijah Noosi
Transformation: Katleho Mmolayeng Letube
Student Accessibility and Support: Victor Fana Sejane
Media and Marketing: Peo Morwesi Segano
First-generation students: Nicola King
Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Luke Harrold Small
Student Development and Environment: Karabo Pheko

Bloemfontein ex officio portfolios:

Associations Student Council: Sikhulekile Luwaca
Academic Affairs Student Council: Letsika Liqoalane
Campus Residences Student Council: Ingrid Wentzel
Commuter Student Council: Audrey Sithebe
Postgraduate Student Council: Kamogelo Dithebe
International Student Council: Takudzwa Gezi
Student Media Council: Hatsu Mphatsoe
Rag Fundraising Council: Tubatsi Moloi
Rag Community Service Council: Johan Diedericks

Qwaqwa Campus president: Paseka Sikhosane
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Qwaqwa elective portfolios:

President: Paseka Sikhosane
Vice-President: Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary: Nondumiso Langa
Treasurer: Palesa Selepe
Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Lindokuhle Ngubane
Media and Publicity: Bongiwe Buthelezi
Politics and Transformation: Nthabiseng Mokoena

Qwaqwa ex officio portfolios:

Academic Affairs: Edward Nkadimeng              
Arts and Culture: Kwenzakwenkosi Mthethwa
Sports Affairs: Thabo Zengele                           
Rag and Dialogue: Dieketseng Mokoena
Religious Affairs: Mamosebetsi Mokoena         
Residence Affairs: Pheletso Moekoa
Off-Campus: Nicholas Sibeko

 

 

 

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