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17 June 2020
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Story Dr WP Wahl
The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) prioritises innovation to meet the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among students. To this end, several student volunteers and student governance structures are collaborating with the DSA on various initiatives.
During 2019, various conversations were held about the possibility of creating a health-promoting food environment at the UFS where students and staff are well informed and empowered to take appropriate action regarding their food and nutritional needs. These conversations resulted in an institutional strategy to address the food environment at the UFS. Student representatives serve on a technical committee that directs the implementation of this strategy. In this regard, several initiatives have already been launched.
Students from residences and other student communities have planted vegetable gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus with the assistance of KovsieACT and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Students and staff are already harvesting and distributing vegetables to needy students every week. Measurements were put in place to continue this during the COVID-19 period. The following vegetables were planted: spinach, cabbage, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
Food parcels, donated by Tiger Brands and Gift of the Givers, are continuously handed out by DSA staff and student volunteers. In this regard, 540 food parcels have already been handed out on the Bloemfontein Campus during the COVID-19 period alone. During the same time, 117 students received food parcels on the Qwaqwa Campus. The innovation of this food parcel project rests on the fact that business, NPOs, UFS students, and DSA staff are collaborating to address food insecurity and malnutrition.
More collaborative initiatives will be implemented over the next 12 months. The DSA staff and students are already working with the Department of Dietetics and Consumer Sciences to create information packages about the preparation of low-budget nutritious meals.
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Vegetable tunnels established to continue the fight against food insecurity
Managing and leading in tough times discussed at the UFS
2008-10-21
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Mr Brand Pretorius, chief executive of McCarthy Ltd, delivered the 17th annual Brand Pretorius Lecture of the Department of Business Management at the University of the Free State this week. Mr Pretorius, an honorary professor at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, gave in a case study of the motor industry attention to managing and leading in tough times. On turbulence on the international economic front, he said South Africa is not isolated from it, but more insulated due to the Credit Act many protested against. Here are, from the left: Prof. Hendri Kroukamp, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof. Tienie Crous, Acting Vice-Rector: Academic Operations, Mr Pretorius and Prof. Van Aardt Smit, Department of Business Management.
Photo: Stephen Collett
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