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02 May 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
UFS Debate Society
The UFS Debate Society led by example at the 2019 Jozi Rumble.
After competing in the Jozi Rumble final for six consecutive years, the UFS Debate Society won the competition – Africa’s largest intercollegiate debate open – for the second consecutive year. The tournament took place at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in April 2019.

After seven preliminary rounds, three UFS teams out of a total of 100 competing teams overall were placed in the top 16, earning them a place in the quarterfinals – where they faced each other. A composite team of UFS LLB graduate and LLM student, Lehakoe Masedi, and a partner from Wits beat all teams, qualified for the final themed ‘This house regrets the glorification of opulence in popular culture’, and won the league.

“It was one of the most validating moments of my entire debating career; everybody wants to win the Jozi Rumble, and to have done it and to be the best speaker is truly amazing,” said Lehakoe. The top-ranking speaker at the tournament added that she had been working hard, and that she is glad that her efforts are coming full circle.

The UFS sent six teams overall to the tournament, including two novice teams competing in their first-ever intercollegiate debate tournament. 

“Speaking at the Jozi Rumble debate tournament for the first time was truly an educational experience; it exposed me to the dynamics of varsity-level debating,” said Simphiwe Yana, debater in of the UFS novice teams.

The UFS speaking squad consisted of Lehakoe Masedi, 2018 Abe Bailey Bursary victor and Rhodes scholarship recipient Nkahiseng Ralepeli, Khotso Khokho, Siyanda Rixana, Morena Moabi, Simphiwe Yana, Luvuyo Shoco, Asemahle Noholoza, and Nontobeko Msimangu. Former Chairperson of the UFS Debate Society and Editor-in-Chief of the IRAWA newspaper, Tshiamo Malatji, was also present at the tournament as the Tabulation Director. 

On 11 May 2019, the UFS will travel to the University of Pretoria to defend yet another debate open title at the Pretoria Parlay Intervarsity. 


News Archive

UFS hosts the 11th annual Registrars’ Imbizo
2014-03-14

 

The University of the Free State recently hosted the 11thAnnual Registrars’ Imbizo which took place on 3 – 5 March 2014 at the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus. Convening from across the country, up to 37 delegates affiliated to the Office of the Registrar shared their experiences and expertise. It also provided an opportunity to raise their concerns about their role in governance and academic administration.

At the opening of the Imbizo, Prof Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic Affairs, acknowledged the challenging and complex task of registrars in South African universities. Prof Hay highlighted the complexities in the history of higher education and the policy environment in particular. She raised concerns around funding for higher education, policy amendments passed through parliament and the newly-proposed reporting regulations for universities. She also referred to the introduction of a transformation oversight committee to evaluate the effectiveness of transformation at universities.

During the three-day Imbizo, delegates focused on matters such as finance and administrations, policy in higher education as well as social media and its impact on higher education. Dr Derek Swemmer, Registrar of the UFS and Chairperson, concluded the event. The visit included some sight-seeing – touring the Bloemfontein Campus and surrounds.

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