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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

Out@Kovsies addresses LBTI concerns on campus
2015-02-27

A new office, which will in future be concerned with the human rights issues of the LGBTI community on our campuses, was recently established on our Bloemfontein Campus. Out@Kovsies seeks to address issues of the LGBTI community.
Photo: René-Jean van der Berg

A new office, which will in future be concerned with the human rights issues of the LGBTI community on the campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS), was recently established on the Bloemfontein Campus.

This office, Out@Kovsies, is a collaborative initiative between the Centre for Health and Wellness and the Human Rights Desk of the UFS’s Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice. They also enjoy the support of the non-governmental organisation Networking Aids Community of South Africa (Nacosa).

“There is a great need on our campus for an environment or office where the Kovsie LGBTI community can feel safe and, for various reasons, can call on for help,” says Zanele Thela, coordinator of the LGBTI programme.

Thela says their first goal is to establish a balanced and LGBTI-friendly environment on the UFS campuses through capacity building, dialogue and the programmes which will be presented throughout the year.

The office provides services to both students and staff.

“The Centre for Health and Wellness and Nacosa will work closely together to resolve social concerns on LGBTI issues,” says Thela.

For more information about Out@Kovsies and their services, contact Ms Zanele Thela at ThelaZ@ufs.ac.za

 

 

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