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28 June 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
UFS Thought Leader series
The 2019 UFS Thought-Leader Series explores techniques of renewal and solutions for economic growth and entrepreneurship as an instrument of development for South Africa.
The University of the Free State (UFS), in cooperation with Vrye Weekblad, will present the second consecutive Thought-Leader Series as part of the Vrystaat Arts Festival on Thursday 4 July in the Economic and Management Science Auditorium (EBW Auditorium) on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

As a higher-education institution, the UFS deems itself responsible for contributing to local and national public discourses by assembling industry experts to deliberate on imperative topics that affect students, the broader community, and the country in one way or another. 

Topic of discussion for 2019 Thought-leader series 

In 2019, the UFS Thought-Leader series unpacks Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship for a Growing South Africa in the form of two concentrated panel discussions which will address the questions, ‘How can we fix the South African economy and create jobs?’ and ‘How can we establish a pro-youth entrepreneurship strategy for South Africa?’ respectively.

Expert panellists to discuss economic growth and entrepreneurship

Editor of the Vrye Weekblad, Max du Preez, will be facilitating discussions between panellists. The following panellists will participate in the first panel: Executive Director at the Centre for Politics and Research and political commentator, Prince Mashele; Vice-Dean (Strategic Projects) of the UFS Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof Philippe Burger; Director and Chief Economist at the Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt; and Chief Economist at Investec, Annabel Bishop.  

Chief Executive Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, Maryana Iskander; Senior Banker at the Rand Merchant Bank, David Abbey; and Head of the UFS Department of Business Management, Prof Brownhilder Neneh, will form part of the second panel. 

Details about the event:

Date: 4 July 2019

Time: 10:00
Panel 1: How can we fix the South African economy and create jobs?’ 

Time: 12:00
How can we establish a pro-youth entrepreneurship strategy for South Africa?’ 

Venue: Economic and Management Sciences Auditorium (EMS Auditorium), UFS Bloemfontein Campus

More information: +27 51 401 3422 or news@ufs.ac.za
 

News Archive

Government to benefit from training of interpreters
2009-03-31

 
Pictured, from the left, are: Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management, UFS), Ms Mokone Nthongoa (HOD: Sport, FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture), Mr Khotso Sesele (MEC: FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture) and Prof Engela Pretorius (Vice Dean: Faculty of the Humanities, UFS).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe
Government to benefit from training of interpreters

The fourth phase of a project to train eight conference interpreters and 30 community interpreters to assist government departments at service delivery points in the Free State was launched this week.

The project is part of the Multilingualism Information Development Programme which brings together the Free State provincial government, the Province of Antwerp and the University of Antwerp in Belgium and the University of the Free State (UFS).

Speaking at the launch of the fourth phase of the project, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the Free State, Mr Khotso Sesele, said: “The fact that we have been through the first three stages of this project, and are now launching its fourth phase, is indicative of the magnificent progress that has been made. This is a sign that through partnerships we can achieve more.”

The MIDP IV consists of two pillars, namely a practical and a research component. Its aim is to generate interpreting capacity within the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The focus is on training an interpreting team over three years which can be employed within a governmental context at various service points.

“As we approach the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments, it will be important for our communities to be able to interact with millions of foreign nationals who will be in our country from different world destinations during and beyond these two important soccer events,” said the MEC.

“The focus on interpreter training by this fourth phase of MIDP is thus an important factor in ensuring better communication during and beyond these important soccer spectacles that will take place in our country.”
The focus of the first three phases of the MIDP was on the main official languages of the province. This fourth phase, which started in 2008, will run until 2010 and its focus is on the Xhariep District Municipality.

“The provision of interpreting services and its further extension to district municipalities will provide the necessary interpreting skills to our communities that will enhance better interaction amongst ourselves,” said Mr Sesele.

He said the fact that indigenous languages have been “elevated from their marginalised status to being languages of business and commerce” is an important milestone that must be cherished.

This fourth phase of MIDP will also incorporate sign language as part of its focus on interpreting services.

“In our quest to ensure a multilingual dispensation in our province, we need not neglect to remember people with disabilities,” he said. “This is a matter of principle that does not require debate.”

“We should thus ensure the realisation of the goal of MIDP IV which is to ensure smooth communication interaction within the wider public, including the deaf community.”

“This is a wonderful project,” said Ms Mathabo Monaheng, one of the students in the MIDP. “As a sign language interpreter trainee this project will empower me with the necessary skills to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the deaf community in terms of communication.”

The MIDP is funded by the Province of Antwerp and successfully implemented by the Unit for Language Management at the UFS.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
31 March 2009

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