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Celebrating Mandela Month

18 July 2020 | Story Amanda Thongha

Staff, students and other stakeholders of the University of the Free State (UFS) can look forward to a virtual music show honouring the values and beliefs of former President Nelson Mandela. Musicians such as Simple Stories, Sibongile Mngoma, Boitumelo Mohutsioa, and Lucy Sehloho have prepared performances that will be showcased on UFS communication platforms on 31 July. Concluding Mandela Month celebrations, the pre-recorded show will also feature performances by poets Braithan Moratwa and Zilungile Muqayi. The show is coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs at the UFS.

Angelo Mockie, Senior Officer: Arts, Culture and Dialogue at Student Affairs, says the show was primarily produced to convey a message of hope, solidarity, and support to the UFS community. “We chose Mandela Month to publish it, because those are the values that he believed in. Now more than ever, we need to stand together as a community to find ways of adapting to the new normal.”

In a message to UFS staff acknowledging the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said Madiba’s example of compassion and courage made him one of the best-known leaders in the world.
“His life was a true inspiration and his devotion to democracy, equality, learning, and caring for others have earned him the respect of communities around the world.

This year, the significance of Mandela Day will be even more important than ever before, as we demonstrate caring by looking after ourselves, our families, and those around us, while we navigate through the pandemic. Caring provides purpose, but also the motivation to fulfil that purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic should enable us to imagine a world that is fairer, safer, more stable, secure, and one that can prosper.”

Taking Action

Heeding the call to take action and inspire change on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, you can read the following articles about the UFS making every day a Mandela Day:

The shelter and the students – a triumph of social impact

South Campus delivers much-needed educational support during pandemic

News Archive

Rag queen and Mr Rag crowned this year

2012-02-07

Rino Balsamo and Shivani Dhar

For the first time in the history of our university, there was a Mr Rag standing next to the Rag queen this year.

Kovsies Rag’s Community Service hosted the annual Rag Coronation Ball on Friday 3 February 2012. Shivani Dhar, a medical student, was crowned as Rag Queen.

Shivani takes over the crown from the 2011 Rag Queen Henrika Sabbagha who did an excellent job during her reign.

Rino Balsamo, who is doing a master’s degree in architecture, scooped the coveted title of Mr Rag.

Rino and Shivani will act as ambassadors for Rag and the university this year. They will attend public events and be closely involved in community service.

The Rag finalists collected more than R700 000 which will be used exclusively for charity organisations of their choice.

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