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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

KPMG hotline to combat corruption and fraud at UFS
2016-01-27

Through an initiative of KPMG, the Kovsie community can now combat corruption and fraud collectively. A hotline has been established that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What to report

The Ethics Line is underpinned by the principles of honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, and courtesy. The following infractions can be reported:

  • Corruption
  • Dishonesty
  • Financial or other forms of fraud
  • Damage to environment
  • Discrimination
  • Health and safety violations
  • Unethical behaviour or misconduct
  • Class/exam irregularities
  • Theft
  • Sexual harassment
  • Other criminal offences

What not to report

However, the following should not be reported:

  • Employment grievances
  • Employment complaints
  • Petty arguments amongst staff
  • Personality clashes

Ethics Line Number

The KPMG Ethics Line number is 0800 00 67 04.

How the Ethics Line works

  1. Step 1: Call 0800 00 67 04 from any Telkom landline
  2. Step 2: Make your confidential and anonymous disclosure
  3. Step 3: You will be given a reference number. Keep this confidential, as you will need this if you wish to follow up on your call
  4. KPMG compiles the information, and reports to the UFS

The calls are answered, and the information recorded, by persons not employed by the UFS to ensure confidentiality. Even if you decide to supply your name, the information and your identity will remain confidential.

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