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Kovsie joins young Commonwealth leaders to tackle global challenges

01 April 2020 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Valentino Ndaba

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

UFS launches history book

2007-02-02


Attending the launch of the UFS history book were, from the left: Prof Stef Coetzee, Prof Francois Retief, Prof Wynand Mouton, Mr Pieter Cox (Chairperson on Sasol) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS). Profs Coetzee, Retief and Mouton are former rectors of the UFS.
UFS launches history book The University of the Free State (UFS) today launched its history book titled, From Grey to Gold, on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. “The history of the UFS is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. The book tells a fascinating story that stretches over a 100 years. It is divided into five main phases, which tells about the growth of the UFS from a poor Free State community to a mature university. Interesting stories about student days, sport, rag and hostel activities are included in each phase,” Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor said during the launch of the book. “One cannot know where you are going if you don’t know where you are coming from. You have a clearer idea of the issues facing an institution if you know the history. A book like this one is also an important source of reference for staff on the campus,” said Prof Fourie. The first research for the book was done from 1999-2003 by Prof Leo Barnard from the Department of History and a team of researchers. They also compiled the first manuscript. During the last three years, Prof Fourie was closely involved with the writing of the final phase and finishing off the history book project. “It was an honour to be so closely involved with the story of the UFS because now I have a better understanding of the institution, its people, its culture and its way of thinking. For any rector of a university, such an understanding of its institution is a requirement,” Prof Fourie said. The book is partly sponsored by Sasol. During the launch of the book, Mr Pieter Cox, Chairperson of Sasol said the company and the UFS have been partners for 57 years. “Both Sasol and the UFS are striving for excellence – Sasol for excellence in technology and the UFS for excellence in education,” said Mr Cox. “It was an easy decision when the UFS approached Sasol for financial support of the history book. Its a formidable piece of work, something Prof Fourie and the UFS can be proud of,” said Mr Cox. The book consists of more than 500 pages with hundreds of photos and a wide range of supplements of office-bearers, awards and achievements (including national and sporting colours). A timeline framework, putting the history of the UFS in context with the history of the Free State, South Africa and of the world, is also included. Besides the supplements, the history book also tells the story of amongst others the establishment of the UFS; the role of its founding fathers; black pioneers of transformation; the establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers; pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs; campus issues and campus politics; interesting facts and stories about student life (rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders, sport and the Springboks, hostel traditions); the admission of black students and anguish about race; language and culture; the development of the Main Campus; the Tickey and the Banana and much more. Emphasis is placed on a very high level of quality. “It is not every day that the university becomes hundred years old and the institution will be measured by the quality of the book. We cannot say the UFS is a university of excellence if the book does not reflect that,” Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Resources and Special Projects said. Ms Pelzer managed the project as part of the last mentioned part of her portfolio. The search for photographs was an important aspect of the book and it was a big task to find photographs and write captions. It took almost a year to translate and prepare the English edition and almost ten months to ensure the accuracy thereof, especially to correctly translate the typical Free State and UFS terminology and naturally to complete the English manuscript’s layout and proofreading. In the mean time the cover pages were designed and in September 2006 the manuscript went into the final print process. The Afrikaans title is: Van Sink tot Sandsteen tot Graniet. The cost of the book is R380 per copy. Those who already ordered the book will soon receive their copy. Orders can be placed by contacting Mr Dawid Kriel at UFS Marketing on 051 401 3409 or on the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za. The book is also available at Van Schaik Book Store on the Thakaneng Bridge, UFS Main Campus and at Fascination Books in Mimosa Mall, Bloemfontein. Media release Issued by: Lacea Loader Media Representative Tel: (051) 401-2584 Cell: 083 645 2454 E-mail: loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za 2 February 2007

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