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03 March 2020

The Office for International Affairs (OIA) at the University of the Free State (UFS) implemented the second iteration of its Umoja Buddy Programme (UBP) in 2020. The UBP is a flagship internationalisation-at-home programme aimed at the smooth academic, social, and cultural integration of first-entering international students at the UFS by pairing them with senior UFS students. It offers local students an international experience on the home campus and develops their international and intercultural competence through direct interaction with international students. The UBP contributes to the achievement of the UFS vision, whereby every student will in future have an international experience during their studies at the UFS.


Internationalisation at home

On 13 February 2020, a welcome function themed Echoes of Sophiatown set the tone for this year’s edition. Chevon Slambee, Chief Officer in the OIA and UFS master’s student, welcomed the students and explained the theme of the day. She said that, “as students, we have a responsibility to be active citizens and contribute to change and social transformation”. Programme coordinator Bulelwa Moikwatlhai introduced the function and framework of the programme and highlighted the importance of internationalisation at home. Also in attendance was the Dean of Students, Pura Mgolombane, who encouraged students in his address to honour their heritage, “so that together, we can be able to appreciate one another”. He emphasised the importance of social justice for academic success. The SRC member for the International Student Council, Simba Matheba, expressed his support for the UBP. The UFS Arts, Culture, and Dialogue office provided entertainment at the event.

Umoja Buddy

International and local students mingling at the 2020 Umoja Buddy Programme Welcome Function.

News Archive

“I’ve come to take you home” – Diana Ferrus to launch her new book about Sarah Baartman
2014-03-13

Poet, performer, writer and story-teller, Diana Ferrus, will launch her book entitled “I’ve Come to Take You Home”, on 14 March 2014 at the Bloemfontein Campus. The story pays tribute to Sarah Baartman. The launch coincides with the celebration of South African Library Week at Kovsies.

Diana’s poetry and writing focuses on Africa, women, healing and liberation. Her work has been published in various collections and some serve as prescribed textbooks for high school learners.

Internationally recognised as a poet and cultural activist, Ferrus was part of a delegation that travelled to France to collect the remains of Sarah Baartman for a dignified burial in South Africa.

She writes in both English and Afrikaans and is a founder member of “Bush Poets”, an all-female group, the Afrikaans Writers Association, as well as women’s writers association, Women in X-chains.

Diana will be available to answer questions from the audience.

Event details

Date: Friday 14 March 2014
Time: 16:00
Venue: Mabaleng Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

Contact: Marcus Maphile Maphilelm@ufs.ac.za for more information or enquiries.

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