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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

Inaugural lecture celebrates Qwaqwa founder, Morena Mopeli Mokhachane
2014-09-12

 

Photo: RooistoelTV

Every historical era presents its own challenges and creates its own leaders who take up the call to address those challenges.

This was expressed by Dr Nyefolo Malete who presented the Inaugural Memorial Lecture on 6 September 2014 at the Qwaqwa Campus. The lecture honoured the live of the Qwaqwa founder, Morena Paulus Mopeli Mokhachane.

Dr Malete said that Morena Mopeli played his part in history as a skilled negotiator, formidable team player and a liberator who held good human relations in high regard.

“Morena Mopeli lived at the time when Southern Africa was experiencing a moment of frustration and despair. It was faced with conflicts, battles, starvation and turmoil in preparation for a transformation that was to serve as the mirror of the political and social stage which existed until 1994,” Dr Malete said.

“He was a hopeful leader and thinker who played a critical role in assisting his brother Moshoeshoe to build and protect Lesotho where it was humanly possible. He participated in most of the negotiations with all the groups to create peace and protect the borders of Lesotho. He was a good, intelligent and formidable diplomat who was aware of his role as a leader. He was aware that he could influence the future through dialogue.”

Dr Malete said that Africa needs leaders like Mopeli. Leaders who can expand the capacity to remain open to possibilities and “envision a positive future in the face of uncertainty and to creatively construct pathways that can be embraced by all people who collectively seek to turn possibilities into reality.”

In attendance at the lecture were dignitaries from the Lesotho Royal House, the Free State Provincial Government and the Free State House of Traditional Leaders. 

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