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“A mind that is learning is a free mind and freedom demands the responsibility of learning” – J. Krishnamurti. What is the essence of education in our modern society amid the emerging, unprecedented, present-day circumstances? On 27 November 2020, third-year students from the University of the Free State (UFS) not only sought to inspire the youth in Kestell and bring them messages of hope, but also actively engaged them on how to be equipped with the necessary skills that would help them surf through the rapidly advancing world economics and the changing labour-market demands.
The collaboration with other expert stakeholders created a platform for significant conversation about alternative skills training that is designed to successfully address the current economic needs, thus enabling education to thrive and serve the intended purpose, which would ultimately manifest in effective transformation within communities. The UFS Qwaqwa Campus Community Engagement office coordinated the teamwork, comprising the Free State Department of Social Development, Maluti TVET College, the Free State School of Nursing, AGAPE Foundation for Community Development, Japie Lepele Foundation, the Riverside Finishing School, and Advance Academy.
TVET education allows students to progress in fields that suit them best and at the same time acquire skills needed for the future world of work. Information Technology (IT) students and staff members shared encouraging testimonies of their education experience and employment. The academy presented their finishing school programme to encourage learners to complete their secondary education even after they have suffered some interruptions. Although there are currently many challenges facing education in our semi-rural areas – such as Kestell – that result in lack of access to education and insufficient resources, civil partnerships like these are supporting and enabling communities in their quest to find their own solutions.
Kovsie Culture Week delves up diamonds
2014-08-07
The finals of Kovsie Culture Week recently took place at the Centenary Complex on our Bloemfontein Campus. The event was hosted by the Arts and Culture Office and Hlonipa Matshamba: SRC Arts and Culture.
A week filled with fierce competition, close scrutiny and gruelling auditions provided a nerve-racking build-up to the finals. In front of a jam-packed audience, the finalists had to put their best foot forward. The rich variety of acts and talents were divided into categories ranging from dancing, singing groups and Idols to written and recited poetry, photography and visual art.
“The aim of Kovsie Culture Week was to provide a platform for students to display and share their talents and also to give recognition to students, from both on and off campus by means of this competition,” said Matshamba.
The first prize winners, per category, were:
- Photography: Jansie Malan
- Written poetry: Wian de Wet
- Recited poetry: Tebogo Letsoara
- Dance: Aisha Paswa
- Singing groups: (LT)2 *squared
- Idols: Delia Moumakwe
- Visual art: Francine Kurt
“I joined the competition to share the effect of my special photo that shows the socio-economic indifferences and hardships that other people are facing,” Jansie Malan, a first-year BSc Consumer Science student, said. Delia Moumakwe, a second-year BA Industrial Psychology student, said that “I am grateful for my prize as a token of recognition and being afforded a recording deal sponsored by DJ’s Recording Studio.”
Matshamba added that the Kovsie community is thriving in the arts and we need to support that by providing similar opportunities. She also encouraged students to realise the treasure of their inner talents by making use of the Arts and Culture offices in various departments.