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05 November 2020 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied
Heinrich Janse van Rensburg’s is a 5th year medical student from the University of the Free State whose photo was highly commended at the Imperial College London’s Global Creative Competition: Medical Student Responses to COVID-19.

A late-night photo taken through a window at the Pelonomi hospital by a final-year medical student from the University of the Free State (UFS) was highly commended at the first Global Creative Competition: Medical Student Responses to COVID-19.

The competition, held by the Imperial College London, received more than 600 entries from more than 52 countries. The competition was held to bring together the global community of medical students to submit their creative responses to COVID-19 and to provide a platform for them to reflect on their personal and professional experiences during this challenging time.

Medical students from around the world could enter in two categories; visual and literary, and the winners were announced during a Global Awards Ceremony on 14 October.

Meaning behind the photo

Heinrich Janse van Rensburg’s late -night photo highlights the economic inequality that persists in South Africa. The photo was taken from the Pelonomi Hospital which is located in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, and shows the old, forsaken Dutch Reformed church in the foreground, shacks in the background with smoke billowing from the dwellings, where up to six people live in one room trying to stay warm during winter. They are built so close to each other that there can be no talk of effective social distancing.

According to Janse van Rensburg the theme of inequality in the South African milieu is further shown in the striking contrast between light and dark in the picture. “And now, with the COVID-19 pandemic placing a massive burden on an already struggling healthcare system the inequality is even more visible,” says Janse van Rensburg.

 

Janse van Rensburg’s late-night photo taken from the Pelonomi Hospital in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, shows the economic inequality that persists in South Africa. The photo was highly commended at the Imperial College London’s Global Creative Competition for Medical Student Responses to COVID-19.


A little shocked 

He was a little shocked when he heard his photograph was highly commended. Janse van Rensburg says: “Imperial College London is a big institution and being an international competition I did not really expect a lot. There were participants from over 52 countries, and having seen some of the works that were submitted it feels special to be one of the students being noticed.”

Janse van Rensburg, who has never considered doing art, heard about the competition through the Faculty of Health Sciences platforms during lockdown level 5. He saw it as an opportunity to reflect, which has become even more imperative in times like these.

He says he does not go searching for art, but “notices” it from being conscious – something he thinks is important in medicine and life.

Value of creativity in promoting mental well-being

Dr Lynette van der Merwe, undergraduate medical programme director, School of Clinical Medicine, congratulated Janse van Rensburg, saying this commendation in an international competition underscores his talent and the value of creativity in promoting mental well-being.

“Heinrich’s artwork and showcase precisely what we aspire to develop in our exceptional UFS doctors-in-training: a professional with self-awareness, empathy and humanity.

“We initiated a Mental Health Awareness initiative and art competition in the School of Clinical Medicine in 2018 to promote creative expression as a means of supporting students’ mental health. Heinrich has won awards with his creative contributions every year, exhibiting his imaginative ability.”

Surgery and photography

Janse van Rensburg says he has always loved beautiful things and the meaning people attach to art is a good way to communicate that. He has applied for an internship at the Mitchells Plain hospital for when he completes his studies at the end of this year and is thinking of specialising in reconstructive or pediatrics surgery. Besides that, he would like to tap into his creative side and continue with the photography.

  • Watch the video of the winners here

News Archive

UFS institute set to contribute to transformation in South Africa
2011-01-23

The UFS launches it's new International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice.
- Photo: Dries and Henco Myburgh

Today (Thursday, 27 January 2011), almost three years after the Reitz affair, the University of the Free State (UFS) is launching its International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice. This international institute will be inaugurated by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chairperson of the former Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who received an honorary doctorate in Theology from the university earlier today.

According to Mr John Samuel, Interim Director of the institute and former Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the institute seeks to establish itself as a premier international site for research on race, reconciliation and social justice.

“It is encouraging to see the UFS bringing to the fore such an initiative, which combines a study in race, reconciliation and social justice, all of which are indispensible elements in the process of rebuilding our nation,” said the Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, in his message of congratulations to the university.

“I am confident that on the strength of its stature, coupled with its eminent experience as an academic institution, the UFS will further assist our country advance towards a united, non-racial, non-sexism, just and prosperous future.

“I wish the institute well in its arduous but noble task of contributing to the building of a better human society,” he said.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, stated during his official inauguration in 2009 that the university would be an example of a place where reconciliation, forgiveness and social justice would not only be studied, but where it would also be applied in practice. “Students and scholars from across the world will come to the UFS to study the theory and practice about the building of societies across the boundaries of race, as well as religion, gender, disabilities and national origin,” Prof. Jansen said.

The institute is a critical space where engaged scholarship, public discussion, community engagement and teaching are innovatively integrated towards exploring and finding solutions to the complex and challenging work of social transformation in South Africa.

The institute furthermore works towards the realisation of its mission through a multiplicity of approaches and methods, informed by the notion that deep and complex social challenges require courageous and challenging scholarship, supported by innovative organisational forms and institutional arrangements.

Working from the inside to the outside, the institute will firstly serve the needs of the university, its staff and students. Through its research, the institute will endeavour to understand the challenges facing the UFS better, as well as how to address these challenges. For this reason, the concept of the UFS as a “live laboratory” and the use of evidence-based practice remain important for the university.

The institute will also reach out and empower its stakeholder communities through research and ongoing involvement on issues of race, reconciliation and social justice. Furthermore the institution expects to contribute to the creation of national and international networks and dialogue platforms pertaining to race, reconciliation and social justice.

For the first five years, the themes of 1) Values, Faith and Social Justice; 2) Development and Social Cohesion; 3) Teaching and Learning for Social Justice; and 4) Provincial, National, Global Perspectives and Leadership will direct the institute’s work.

The UFS will make a substantial contribution to the pursuit of reconciliation, greater social cohesion and equity in South Africa. The university is thus prepared to continue to engage the difficult, practical and trying work of building a strong, quality institution as it promotes racial healing and addresses the structural imbalances of the past. It is at this nexus that the institute commits to enabling change at the university as well contributing to transformation in South Africa.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's message of support to the University of the Free State (PDF format)

Media Release
27 January 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

 

 

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