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07 November 2019 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Johan Roux
Qwaqwa Campus top academic achiever, Selloane Mile, with Campus Principal, Dr Martin Mandew.
Qwaqwa Campus top academic achiever, Selloane Mile, with Campus Principal, Dr Martin Mandew.
Bosso ke mang? So goes a popular township saying derived from the late Hip Hop Pantsula’s (HHP) hit track, Bosso. Literally, it means ‘who is the boss?’

Selloane Mile, the 2018/2019 SRC Secretary General for the Qwaqwa Campus, was a tutor in the Faculties of Education and the Humanities from 2017 to 2019, and is also an aspiring poet and author. She is now the Qwaqwa Campus Dux Student for 2019, with an average of 84, 3%.

“I am very honoured and humbled to have been bestowed the award as the best academic student on the Qwaqwa Campus at the recent Student Excellence Awards ceremony. The experience certainly feels unreal and I am yet to come to terms with the magnitude of this accolade,” said Selloane, a final-year Bachelor of Education (Senior Phase and FET) student. 

The secret is, there is no secret

When asked what her secret was, she said: “I do not think there is any secret or technique that I can attribute my academic achievements to. However, I think setting a standard for yourself and being consistent in whatever we do to realise those standards we have set for ourselves, is the key to success. Also important is flexibility. One has to give yourself the chance to explore and tap into different horizons.” 

Cognitive growth

“You cannot grow cognitively if you do not challenge yourself. For instance, reading a book outside the scope of your discipline can prove beneficial, because you get to be more knowledgeable. The advice I would give is that you must constantly remind yourself why you are here and let that be the driving force, even when things are gloomy, to let that motivate you. If you want to achieve certain things, you have to compromise and deprive yourself of other things; so, priorities should be the order of the day,” said the future Biology and English educator.

Looking back

Selloane is a proud product of Qwabi, Molibeli, and Reabetswe primary schools in Qwaqwa.

“I was born and bred here at Mandela Park in Qwaqwa. I did my Grades 10-12 at Moteka Secondary School, and that is why I would like to go back and teach at a public school – to bring about change in my community.”

Other awards Selloane received, were the Faculty of Education Overall Best Performer, and the Top Academic Achiever in the 2018/2019 SRC. Clearly, bosso ke Selloane!

Some of the recipients on the day were:
Dineo Tsotetsi (81,5%) – Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Overall Best Achiever
Katleho Motloung (78, 3%) – Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Overall Best Achiever
Tina Magaqa (74%) – Faculty of the Humanities Overall Best Achiever
Pakiso Mthembu – Sportsman of the Year
Sandakahle Msamariya Khumalo – Sportswoman of the Year
Thabo Mdletshe – UFS101 Teaching Assistant of the Year
Charlotte Maxeke Residence – The Cleanest Residence on Campus
Siphamandla Shabangu – Selfless Volunteer and Gateway Mentor
UFS Qwaqwa Campus Chorale – Outstanding Performing Arts and Cultural Society 

News Archive

Environmental management – the answer to a sustainable green economy
2014-11-03



From the left are: Tshepo Moremi (Deputy Director-General), Mamotena Puleni (Personal Assistant to the Deputy Director-General) and Prof Maitland Seaman (Head of Department: Centre for Environmental Management).

Photo: Ifa Tshishonge

As part of celebrating 20 years of existence, the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted a public lecture themed, ‘The Future of Environmental Management’. Mr Tshepo Moremi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Free State), portfolio Environment, Conservation and Tourism, delivered this lecture.

Mr Moremi said, “The environmental performance of South Africa must be seen in the context of our history and the country’s transition. South Africa has taken the lead in being a responsible global citizen, and we also participate in international projects in this field.”

South Africa hosts one of the richest biodiversities in the world. However, the country’s economy is still very energy - and carbon intensive.

“According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 16% of all deaths and one-third of diseases in children under the age of five years are environmentally related. Inadequate sanitation and indoor pollution are key factors,” Mr Moremi said.

“Academic institutions like the UFS and the government need to take the role of equipping citizens with skills and training so that we can overcome the challenges and seize opportunities related to the environment.

“Financing mechanisms for projects related to environmental sustainability were introduced in 2011. However, we still lack skilled capacity to run these projects smoothly and to use international and national funding strategically.

“Looking forward and responding to our challenges, it is vital that we transform our economy to be an international competitor and job-creation hub, and to be sustainably climate resilient, as outlined by the National Development Plan. Minimum standards will also be put in place to regulate emissions and monitor air quality. The sustainability of society’s well-being is important to the long-term role of environmental management in boosting our socio-economic status as a nation,” Mr Moremi said.

He emphasised that it must not only be about conserving and preserving. “Our people should benefit economically and socially,” he said.

Mr Moremi encouraged the audience to defend ideas that protect our non-speaking natural resources. “Let’s all do what we can and rise to this advocacy challenge,” he added. He also expressed his gratitude towards the university for honouring him during such a celebration and for working together in advocating for environmental issues.

The Centre for Environmental Management also hosted a strategic colloquium, discussing issues such as demography, resources, climate, water, environmental management, academic pursuance, as well as curriculum and the role of professional registration which may have an influence on the nature of its programmes.

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