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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.

 

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Dr Dirk Strydom named 2015 Free State Agriculturist of the Year
2015-11-30

Dr Dirk Strydom, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State, was chosen as the 2015 Free State Agriculturist of the Year by the Agricultural Writers Central Region.
Photo: Sonia Small

Dr Dirk Strydom, a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestige Scholars Programme (PSP) at the University of the Free State (UFS), was presented with the title of 2015 Free State Agriculturist of the Year.

Dr Strydom, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, received the award on 23 October 2015 from the Agricultural Writers Central Region, the professional association promoting the image and standards of agricultural journalism in South Africa.

“A driven and ambitious young academic,” is how Dr Strydom is described.

According to the Agricultural Writers, Dr Strydom is blessed with the rare skill of bringing to his engagement with the agricultural community at large the same excitement and focus with which he approaches his students and his research.

“Strydom has perfected the art of disseminating complicated theory, and the intricacies of the South African Futures Exchange to the agricultural community.”

Dr Strydom epitomises the new generation of young scholars emerging from the PSP. This new breed of academic is very aware of the need to translate published scholarly discourse into practical usefulness for the broader public.

Hence Dr Strydom’s emphasis on the duty of the scholar to share vital innovation, intricate research, and its applications, not only with students but with the community at large.

The award is recognition for Dr Strydom’s work by the agricultural community.

He was also the recent recipient of an award from the Brahman breeders for his “outstanding scientific contribution” to their industry.

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