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First year Kovsie students
From top left - Kamvelihle Sikrweqe; top right - Chloe Gagiamo; bottom left - Bronwyn du Plessis; bottom right - Lutho Mvalo

A student’s first year out of high school and in university is always characterised by a sea of unlimited opportunities, emotions, and decision-making. We took to the streets of the Bloemfontein Campus to find out why the UFS was their preferred academic choice.

“I recently realised that I’m not an engineer or a doctor, but I’m a problem solver; I just wanted to study something different that would offer me great opportunities in life. I’m very open to learning more about myself and my degree, and the career that I will lead. I chose the UFS because they made me feel important, they showed that they care, the support here is crazy and I need that right now.” – First-year Actuarial Science student, Kamvelihle Sikrweqe

“I’m originally from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, and I chose this university because I heard about the quality of service provided to students; when I got here, I experienced it for myself. The campus environment is so warm and inviting, I’m loving this place already.” – First-year Psychology and English major, Lutho Mvalo

“I chose to study Education because I have a big passion for children, and I believe the change in our country can only start with them. I’m from Bloemfontein and my family is here too. The university is central to everything in the country, but because of this city and the tightknit community at the UFS, I felt like this university was for me – because I believe in unity and working together.” – First-year Education (Foundation Phase) student, Chloe Gagiamo

“I chose the UFS because of the quality of lecturers the university has. They are on a higher level than any other university, and I really feel confident that I will get a good education here. I recently joined the Imperium day residence, and I plan on joining the choir; I am in it to win it!” – First-year Education (Foundation Phase) student, Bronwyn du Plessis 

News Archive

UFS awarded R3,6-million to train court interpreters
2008-05-15

 
 At the training session for court interpreters that took place on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein recently are, from the left, front: Ms Zandile Mtolo, Pietermaritzburg, Ms Lindiwe Gamede, Bethlehem; back: Mr Sipho Majombozi, Port Shepstone, Prof. Lotriet, and Mr Mzi Nombewu, Upington. The four learners are working at their respective magistrates courts.
Photo: Lacea Loader

UFS awarded R3,6-million to train court interpreters

A contract to the value of R3,6-million has been awarded to the University of the Free State (UFS) to train court interpreters throughout South Africa.

The contract was awarded to the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice at the UFS by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA).

“We are the only tertiary institution in the country that offers a national diploma in court interpreting. It provides a unique opportunity to court interpreters to be trained by a group of eight lecturers who are experts in the field,” says Prof. Annelie Lotriet, associate professor at the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice.

Prof. Lotriet is an internationally renowned interpreting expert who was also responsible for the training of interpreters for the former Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

According to Prof. Lotriet no co-ordinated training programmes for court interpreters existed and there was also no control over the training processes. The programme, initiated by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, is managed by the SASSETA. “It is the first time that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development initiates such an extensive training programme for court interpreters,” says Prof. Lotriet.

The group of 100 court interpreters on the programme are from all over the country. Of the group, ten are unemployed learners who interpret for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on an ad-hoc basis.

The programme, which stretches over two years, comprises of theoretical and service training. Contact sessions take place in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Cape Town, four times a year for two weeks at a time. The second contact session for Bloemfontein was recently completed.

“Learners are nominated by their regional offices. The programme consists of interpreting theory, interpreting practice and basic law subjects. The training material is developed and written by the SASSETA and facilitated and presented by the UFS. The learners interpret in all the 11 languages. Some of them can speak a couple of languages each,” says Prof. Lotriet.

“Everything is going very well with the programme and we are receiving a lot of positive feedback from the learners. This first group is an experiment and it depends on their success whether the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will expand the programme,” says Prof. Lotriet.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
15 May 2008 
 

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