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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.
Related article:
Vegetable tunnels established to continue the fight against food insecurity
Elizabeth Molapo crowned Miss South 2016 First Princess
2016-03-22
From the left are Anri Powell (Elizabeth Molapo’s mentor), Miss South Africa 2016 First Princess, Elizabeth Molapo, and designer/Miss SA judge Casper Bosman at Carnival City after the crowning. |
“I remember feeling very happy and humbled,” said Elizabeth Molapo, Miss South Africa 2016 First Princess, about the moment she was crowned on Saturday 19 March 2016 at Carnival City, Johannesburg.
Molapo has been overwhelmed by the support she received since making the Top 12 last year. “It’s one thing to enter Miss South Africa and believe in yourself but it’s another to know that the judges, South Arica, and all the stakeholders believe in you.”
The Kovsie community is absolutely thrilled and delighted by the achievements of the former University of the Free State (UFS) BCom Economics student. "Elizabeth's talent, commitment, and grace are known to us and it is not surprising that she has fared so well in this national competition,” said Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
“Coming in the wake of the achievements of medical student, Rolene Strauss (Miss South Africa 2014 and Miss World 2014), Elizabeth has proven once again that the UFS is a place where beauty and talent are deployed in the service of humanity,” Prof Jansen added.
Molapo congratulated the winner of Miss SA 2016, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene. “I believe in Ntando, she’s such a beautiful and amazing woman and I believe she will carry that crown with the utmost honour and respect.”
The road ahead for Molapo holds a possible move to Johannesburg for a job offer by Cell C. She also plans to enrol for an honours degree in either Economics or Marketing, and hopes to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe contest.