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17 June 2020 | Story Dr WP Wahl
Students play leading role to ensure food security

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.

Related article:
Vegetable tunnels established to continue the fight against food insecurity

News Archive

UFS presents symposium on serious violent crime
2007-02-28

The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) is hosting a symposium on serious violent crime in South Africa on Wednesday, 7 March 2007.
 
“The symposium aims to provide stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on and propose solutions to combat violent crime in South Africa,” said Prof Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.
 
According to Prof Henning perspectives on violent crimes from a psychological, business, constitutional and agricultural perspective will be given. “The themes to be discussed are amongst others the nature and extent of serious and violent crime in South Africa and the effect thereof, the reasons for violent crime and the role of the Constitution. Possible solutions will be put to the table to combat serious violent crime and there will also be an open session for input from the general public,” said Prof Henning.
 
Speakers who already confirmed to participate in the symposium include Dr  Matthews Phosa (former politician and now businessman), Mr Roelf Meyer (former minister of constitutional affairs and chairperson of the Civil Community Initiative), Dr Leon Wessels (National Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission), Judge Nathan Erasmus (Inspecting Judge of Prison Services), Mr Kiewiet Ferreira (convener of law and order from AGRISA) and Commissioner André Pruis (Deputy Commissioner of Operational Services at the South African Police Services).
 
Appeal court judge Fritz Brand and Judge Faan Hancke, chairperson of the UFS Council, will be the chairpersons of the symposium.
 
The symposium will be presented from 08:00-13:30 in the CR Swart Auditorium on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Attendance is free of charge. Those who are interested can call Prof Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer (051 401 2268) or Adv Jaco de Bruin (051 401 2433) to book a seat.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
6 February 2007
 

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