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12 September 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Varsity Sports
Netball
Jana Scholtz, goal defender and playing in her first year as a regular starter, has been a solid performer for the Kovsie netball team in Varsity Netball.

The building blocks are starting to form a solid basis from where Kovsies can launch an attack to defend the Varsity Netball title they won in 2018. This is according to Karin Venter, one of the team’s assistant coaches.

After losing their first encounter to Tuks, they registered wins over the University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, and the North-West University. The match against the Maties in Bloemfontein on 23 September 2019 – the last in the group stage, should determine which of the two teams will book a home semi-final along with Tuks.

“Yes, that is the crucial one,” said Venter, the team’s defensive coach. Her counterpart at the Maties is Adéle Niemand, with whom Venter combined as defenders at Kovsies for several matches in the mid-2000s. Apart from the Maties, the women of the University of the Free State still have to face the Madibaz and the University of the Western Cape (both in Pretoria on 15 and 16 September 2019).

“The combinations are starting to form a unit and our confidence is on the increase. Now we are looking for consistency in our performances.”

According to Venter, they were hit hard by goalkeeper Ané Retief’s injury, which kept her out of the first two matches. This meant that they had to start against Tuks with a first-year student, Chanel Vrey.

“It was tough, but I’m impressed with the way in which she, Ancia Pienaar, and Jana Scholtz – who are all youngsters – stepped up.”

Venter is responsible for the analyses and recons to assist players.

“The programme we are using provides us with all the required footage. You can make notes on it and send these clips to players, which means you don’t have to sit next to a player to explain something. We also provide them with notes and sketches of opponents’ playing patterns, which they must work through as part of their preparation.”

News Archive

National Human Trafficking Resource Line a victim-centred approach to combating crime
2017-08-24

Description: Beatri Kruger Tags: Beatri Kruger 

Prof Beatri Kruger, Adjunct Professor at the
UFS Faculty of Law. Photo: Supplied

As a response to the rising number of human trafficking cases in South Africa and around the world, key role players in various fields have pulled together to come up with workable solutions on how to stop the crime and assist victims. Some of the work being done by NGOs and law enforcement agencies has been supported by insights from research conducted in communities and by academic institutions. According to Prof Beatri Kruger, Adjunct Professor of Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State and experienced researcher in human trafficking, support for victims has grown in leaps and bounds with the help of the latest technology. More and better quality information can be collected to strengthen efforts of combating the crime,” she said.

One such technological development is the national Human Trafficking Resource Line, which provides various services, including information on trafficking activities, assistance to agencies working with victims of trafficking in persons (TIP), creating a network from which data can be collected, analysed, and activities tracked, in order to ensure the best service to victims.

The resource line connects callers, often victims of TIP or anonymous tippers, to service providers in social services, law enforcement, places of safety, medical facilities, and government agencies, especially during emergencies. 

Resource line a helping hand to victims

The resource line was established in 2016 and has replaced the previous helpline. This line provides more services and resources than just a helpline. Through partnerships, it works to strengthen local and national structures that can assist victims over the phone. 

Call specialists are trained by Polaris, an American company using international standards and protocols. The call specialists are available 24/7 to take reports of human trafficking confidentially and anonymously. They put victims in touch with service providers for health screening, counselling, and repatriation if they are from another country, and also assist with case management.

Empowering service providers is the key to success

Support for service providers such as NGOs, safe houses, and government departments in the network is in the form of skills training programmes for staff, and a referral system in various provinces around the country. There are good referral partners in each province, as well as provincial coordinators ensuring accountability regarding cases, mobilising services for victims, and coordinating the referrals and response.  

To strengthen the network further, services provided in each province are being standardised to ensure that the right people are contacted when handling cases, and that key stakeholders in each province are used. The strength of the provincial provider network is key to offering victims of human trafficking the services they need.

Human trafficking is a crime that permeates multiple academic disciplines and professions. Therefore, information collected from victims through such a helpline and collated by agencies, will assist academic institutions such as the UFS in furthering their research, while strengthening the content of academic programmes in fields such as law, law enforcement, social sciences, health sciences, and international relations.

The number to call for reporting or providing tips on TIP-related crimes and activities, is 0800 222 777.

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