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02 January 2020
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Story Valentino Ndaba
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Photo Anja Aucamp
Refilwe Xaba, Senior Assistant Officer in Entrepreneurship Development at the UFS Centre for Development Support, is the founder and CEO of Glolooks. This Bloemfontein-based company manufactures and supplies an organic, natural hair product range.
When she first developed the products, they were for personal use. Xaba evolved from an intrapreneur to an entrepreneur. She innovated a personal solution into a booming business idea. It was only in May 2016 that she decided to go into business, following growing interest in the way she maintained her hair. “I officially started in-depth research in October 2015, after years of making concoctions for myself.”
Business and books
Xaba reckons that a research background is beneficial for growing a business such as Glolooks that has a huge technical aspect. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Entrepreneurship with a focus on marketing and is planning to use her business as a case study.
Her undergraduate, honours, and master’s studies, which she completed at Kovsies, contributed to equipping Xaba with skills to grow her business. She believes in balancing education and business. “I have always been commerce-orientated. If there is a problem to be fixed, I fix it. However, people are at the centre of my heart.”
Growing Glolooks
In 2019, Glolooks opened a salon in Westdene, where customers can receive a holistic experience above and beyond merely purchasing the product. Xaba says this is one of the ways her business is being innovative when it comes to creating relationships with customers.
New president for Convocation
2012-07-31
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New era for UFS Convocation. From the left are Judge Joos Hefer, former president of the Convocation; Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, newly elected president; and Prof. Nicky Morgan, Vice Rector: Operations.
Photo: Tharina Naude
31 July 2012
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Prof. Johan Grobbelaar of the Department of Plant Sciences has been appointed as the new president of the convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS). He replaces former Judge of Appeal Joos Hefer whose five year term expired.
The convocation consists of all permanent academic staff, all permanent support services staff, and students who have obtained a formal qualification from the UFS.
Judge Hefer referred to the changes that have taken place at the university over the past few years in his speech and said it was an honour to have served in this position. “We reached a situation where one can express satisfaction about what has happened at the university.”