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30 July 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Barend Nagel
HR Kovsie Care
The great poet Virgil once said: “The greatest wealth is health.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently listed burnout as an occupational phenomenon in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Although not classified as a medical condition, its imprint on employees’ health status is absolute. 

The hallmark of any conducive workplace is its ability to assist employees to successfully manage stress. The Occupational Development and Employee Wellness Division at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Human Resources (HR) continues to make concerted efforts to ensure the good mental and physical health of all staff members.

Solving an occupational dilemma

Burnout is characterised by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. Over the past few years HR has launched various preventive programmes for support and academic staff as well as service workers.

One of these initiatives is the Power Hour sessions which are hosted at lunchtime across all campuses. These interactive platforms cover topics ranging from pain, emotional intelligence, bullying, healthy eating habits, resilience and anxiety. 

Fitness as a stress reliever

Over the years what were known as Takkie Tuesdays and Thursdays have evolved into “Take a Break & Feel the difference”. Staff members take 30-minute walks during lunchtime to boost productivity, confidence, energy levels, concentration and creativity while reducing stress symptoms and preventing lifestyle illnesses.

“Our mission is to cultivate a culture of health and wellness. We believe that when the culture is conducive it affects staff performance. The main purpose is to create an environment where people are mentally and physically well,” said Burneline Kaars, head of the wellness division.

Caring is sharing knowledge

True to its tagline “Care”, which stands for: Create, Attract, Retain, Excellence, the division works around the clock to care for staff members’ mental wellbeing. This includes referring those who need curative measures for free counselling provided by Careways.

Another way through which the division inspires employees to enrich their minds, bodies and souls is the Workout@Work programme that offers cardio exercises after office hours and the Pedometer Challenge which tracks physical movement throughout the day.

“It all boils down to being more active. It gets people to leave the office, enjoy the sun, and become more creative and energised,” says Arina Engelbrecht, Employee Wellness Specialist. 



News Archive

Clarinet lecturer honoured with prestigious international artistship
2015-11-13

Clarinetist Danré Strydom

Danré Strydom, lecturer in the Odeion School of Music (OSM) of the University at the Free State (UFS) has recently been added to the Buffet Crampon executive list of representative artist. Buffet Crampon is one of the most iconic woodwind brands and the leader in manufacturing first-rate clarinets. The artistship entails a highly competitive selection process to become the first South African Buffet Crampon brand ambassador.

Buffet-Crampon, based in France and Germany, is ailed internationally as the “Steinway” of clarinet manufacturers. The company follows a meticulous selection process, and the title of Buffet Artist is not bestowed lightly. Strydom will be the first South African artists to represent the brand.

For nearly 200 years, musicians have received continuous artistic excellence and a dedication to music from Buffet-Crampon and its instruments. In a dialogue with the most renowned artists, the brand’s ambition is to combine tradition with modernity, know-how with creation, and history with innovation in order to offer excellent wind instruments unique in character, and underpinned by undeniable quality.

Strydom received her formative musical education at the Windhoek Conservatoire, before completing her undergraduate degree at the UFS. Her playing then won her several prestigious scholarships for overseas studies. She began her postgraduate studies at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and then furthered her studies in Belgium, resulting in two separate Master’s Degrees in Clarinet and in Bass Clarinet Performance from the Royal Conservatory, Ghent University. 

Besides currently serving as principal clarinetist for the Free State Symphony Orchestra and Namibian National Symphony, she was an ad-hoc member of the esteemed Brussels Philharmonic from 2009-2013. The spell with the Brussels Philharmonic included an Academy Award for the soundtrack of the motion picture, “The Artist,” which Strydom considers one of her proudest moments.

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