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07 May 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
Social Support Unit launch
UFS Social Support Unit: Certain about uncertainty, comfortable with discomfort

The University of the Free State (UFS) Division of Student Affairs develops and implements co-curricular programmes, activities, and services that provide humanising daily-lived experiences to cultivate academic success, prosocial behaviour, student engagement and an inclusive institutional culture.

In April 2019, the DSA officially launched the UFS Social Support Unit, which seeks to offer support to students in need by assisting and aiding them to thrive and maintain high levels of overall well-being through interventions that facilitate a supportive environment for learning.

The unit aims to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance student success and wellbeing through social-support interventions, including family-related matters, sexual/gender-based violence interventions and referrals, food support, and other emergency social-support needs. 

According to Assistant Director: Kovsie Support Services, Elizabeth Msadu, “the Social Support Unit services are not limited to what has been stipulated in their mandate, as students are different, come from diverse backgrounds, and will likely experience varied and divergent  issues and dilemmas, since they are all unique and experience life differently.” 

The Social Support Office is located in Steve Biko House, Rooms 153 and 158. In addition to the services and interventions provided by the unit, Mojaki Mothibi, Assistant Officer for the Social Support Unit explained that students will also be provided with financial support through co-curricular sponsorships for academic (conferences and seminars) and leadership development (national and international conferences, seminars and community engagement programmes). He further said that students could also be supported in terms of their general social well-being in cases of bereavement, hardship mitigation, and other pressing issues they may face on a daily basis. 

News Archive

Rugby players still a Kovsie pride
2015-06-23

Niel Marais, Elandré Huggett, Gerhard Olivier and Niell Jordaan.
Photo: Mlungisi Louw (Netwerk24)
 

Glory after glory, Kovsie rugby players seem to be making waves on- and off-campus in the rugby world. Four players, who formed part of this year’s formidable Shimlas squad, wore their Cheetahs jerseys in their debut cap for the Free State team in this year’s Super Rugby tournament. Niel Marais, Niell Jordaan, Elandré Huggett, and Gerhard Olivier were hand-picked to join the squad by the same man who lead Shimlas on their unbeaten streak, Franco Smith. Smith was recently announced as the Cheetahs’ new coach.

In their debut game (6 June 2015) against the Sydney-based Waratahs, Marais, Jordaan, Huggett, and Olivier had the privilege of playing alongside Tienie Burger and Henco Venter, who are also Shimlas teammates. Burger and Venter are not new to the team. Burger has been with the team since 2014 and Venter since 2013.

The young men appeared again in the game against the Blue Bulls in the final round of Super Rugby on 13 June 2015. Marais and Jordaan were part of the starting line, and were joined by Venter. It was unfortunate that the home-ground advantage did not work in the favour of the Bulls, as the team strode away with their first victory for the tournament, leaving Smith a very blissful coach.

We congratulate Tienie Burger on signing a professional contract with the Cheetahs.

 

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