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Commonwealth read more
Takudzwa Nyamunda represented the UFS at the latest Commonwealth Futures Workshop where youth from across the globe convened to develop solutions for social issues.

Gender-based violence, global warming, and inequality are just some of the challenges faced by societies internationally. Examining this and other topics Takudzwa Nyamunda represented the University of the Free State (UFS) at the Commonwealth Futures workshop which convened at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Participants from 13 nations gathered from 11-14 March 2020 to discuss the future of the world.
 
Over the course of four days, student leaders explored ways of bringing peace and nonviolence to the challenging issues we are facing in the world, under the theme: Reimagining Peace. The workshop was organised by the DUT in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the British Council. 

The voice of young people 
International forums such as the Commonwealth Futures workshop are to Nyamunda a prerequisite in these modern times. Nyamunda believes that global problems warrant global solutions. According to the Industrial Psychology Master’s student, young leaders have a crucial role to play in nation-building. 

“My experience proved to me that the differences that come out of our diversity are indeed a source of strength demonstrated by the rich insights that came out of the conference,” said Nyamunda who is also an employee of the UFS Department of Human Resources. 

Producing practical solutions
The three-tiered workshop aimed to bring change to campuses across the world, in communities and beyond. This was the third workshop in the series which has taken place in India and the UK. The outcomes will directly feed into the 2020 Commonwealth Youth Forum to be held in Kigali, Rwanda later this year.

The group of students worked together to develop tangible solutions that address shared global issues such as gender-based violence, climate change and inequality. Joining the young leaders were expert speakers and organisations including the International Centre of Nonviolence, the Gandhi Development Trust, as well as the Commonwealth Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Unit.

Global solutions for global problems
The Commonwealth states that with more than 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people younger than 30, the voices of young people have never been more important. Students across the globe are setting new agendas for social debates, challenging communities and governments to listen and work with young people to develop solutions to these intersecting issues and bring about real change.

In joining forces with other young thought leaders from around the world, Nyamunda drew on his experience as an International Students Association Founder and first President, the former 2017 Student Representative Council (SRC) member for International Students, and the Vice-Chairperson of the South African Board for People Practices: UFS Chapter. 

As one of the 40 delegates from across the globe, Nyamunda was given a sense of hope after he witnessed how keen young people are to build a better future. 

News Archive

Dr Khotso Mokhele joins ranks of distinguished Chancellors
2010-11-21

Attending the inauguration ceremony are, from the left: Mr Pule Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State and member of the UFS Council; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council; Dr Khotso Mokhele, newly inaugurated Chancellor of the UFS; and Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Dries Myburgh

Dr Khotso Mokhele joined the ranks of distinguished Chancellors of the University of the Free State (UFS) with his inauguration as the new Chancellor of the institution at a ceremony on Friday, 19 November 2010.

The lustrous ceremony took place on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein and was attended by hundreds of guests from all over South Africa.

Dr Mokhele said in his speech: “I am excited to have been invited by the UFS to join its community at the time when it is attempting to reinvent itself into an institution that will be counted amongst those that will shape the local, regional, national will, and by so doing, contribute to the shaping of an African will.”

Dr Mokhele follows in the footsteps of Dr Franklin Sonn, former Ambassador of South Africa in the United States of America and receiver of many awards, acknowledgements, and honorary doctorates, who retired earlier this year. Dr Sonn was preceded by Ms Winkie Direko, former premier of the Free State.

His acceptance of the role of Chancellor is a great honour for the UFS.

According to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, it is a proud moment to welcome someone from the Province as the Chancellor of this university. With his strong academic values and deep sense of human compassion, Dr Mokhele is one of but a few uncompromising leaders. He is also an inspiring, determined pioneer and a role model to all our students.

Few have done as much to guide the development of science in South Africa since democracy in 1994 as Dr Mokhele. His vision and actions as a senior science manager have been guided by his deep conviction that for a truly democratic society to emerge in South Africa all people must be empowered to be its architects and must have unhindered access to those careers upon which our economy is built.

Dr Khotso Mokhele was born and raised in Bloemfontein. After matriculating from the Moroka High School he went on to study at Fort Hare, where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, winning the Massey-Ferguson award for the best student in that field. As a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Scholarship, he entered the University of California in Davis where he took a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. degree, both in Microbiology. He was awarded post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Dr Mokhele returned to South Africa in 1987, set on becoming a top-class academic and researcher. He held lecturing posts at the Universities of Fort Hare (1987-1989) and Cape Town (1990-1992). In 1992 he joined the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) as one of its Vice-Presidents. He succeeded to its presidency in 1996 and then from 1999 to 2006 became the first President of the National Research Foundation (NRF).  He successfully merged the FRD and the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council. Under his visionary leadership the NRF has come to play a pivotal role in the development agenda of the country. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the South African Academy of Sciences serving as its founder president (1996-1998).

Dr Khotso Mokhele's contribution to science in South Africa has received wide recognition locally and abroad. He has received nine honorary doctorates. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in recognition of his personal efforts in strengthening scientific ties between France and South Africa, and was appointed a director of the Salzburg Seminar, an institution focused on global change, and subsequently a member of its Council of Senior Fellows.

He also serves on the boards of major companies such as Implats, Adcock Ingram and Afrox.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za19 November 2010
 

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