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Students play leading role to ensure food security

17 June 2020 | 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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Kovsie Netball team aims for first home final on Monday 12 October 2015

2015-10-09

Kovsies Netball has been unbeaten this year.

The University of the Free State (UFS) netball team is hoping to continue its good performance in the Varsity Sport series against the North-West University on Monday 12 October 2015 at 19:00, in order to reach the finals for a third consecutive year.

The teams will meet in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus for a follow-up of last year’s semi-final. Kovsies won that that game in Bloemfontein with a score of 51-45.

If the home team prevails, they will be hosting a final for the first time.

The Kovsies, who were unbeaten this year, and finished at the top of the log, were the champions in the first two seasons, but had to play away from home in the final against Pukke in 2013 and Tuks in 2014.

The last league match they lost against Pukke was in 2013. The score in Pretoria was 47-60 in favour of the Pukke.

Many of the clashes between the teams have been very close games. Last year, there was a 45-45 draw in Potchefstroom.

In the first round of 2015 between Kovsies and Pukke in Bloemfontein, the UFS won by 47-38.

In their final league match in Stellenbosch on Monday 5 October 2015, Kovsies won against Maties by 41-33, while the Pukke, who ended fourth on the log, defeated the Madibaz 65-32 in Potchefstroom.

In the other semi-final on Monday, Tukkies and Maties, second and third respectively on the log, will play against each other in Pretoria. This match will be broadcast live on a big screen in the Callie Human Centre on Monday.

The Kovsie captain, Karla Mostert, who will be playing for Bath in England next year, is currently ahead on votes for Player of the Series. Last year, she was also Player of the Series. Fans may vote for her on the Varsity Sport Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/varsitysportsSA.

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