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08 October 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Vicky Simpson believes our current reality is temporary and that we are more than capable to adjust, regardless of our understanding of what ‘normal’ is.

Vicky Simpson is Development Officer in the Office for Institutional Advancement at the university, where one of her main focus areas is to secure funding for UFS projects and raising funds for student bursaries and the No Student Hungry Programme. 

Simpson, an energetic and proactive person who has a passion for interventions that are humanitarian in nature, says she considers herself lucky to be able to align that which she is passionate about with her career, where she can promote the greater good and create opportunities for others.

“I love working with people and I draw energy from interpersonal interactions. I am an extrovert.”

But the strict lockdown regulations implemented by government in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited personal interaction – dampened Simpson’s enthusiasm for life.

“The side effect was constant snacking – given that the fridge was next to my temporary office. My energy took a dip and I gained weight.”

Keeping positive

“My partner being a frontline medical worker added additional challenges, given that we had to implement strict routines to keep COVID-19 out of our home. We were both rather drained and had to find ways to keep each other positive.”

Practical as she is, Simpson determined that she craved interaction and fresh air.

“I decided to do video calls with friends and family. This made up for the lack of social contact.”

For fresh air, Simpson started a light exercise routine once South Africans were allowed to go for walks, and gradually increased it. “Exercise and healthy nutritional choices lifted my mood. Basically, I used my time wisely and decided to change my routine for the better,” Simpson adds.

She says the key is to set small goals and to take things slowly. “One small victory at a time.” 

Healthy choices

The pandemic challenged Simpson to embrace a more active lifestyle. “The situation forced me to do introspection, self-care, and nurturing,” she says.

Her advice to others is to make the tough choices. “It is easy to get caught up in a routine where you can’t find the time to go for a walk. Evaluate your routine. Start slowly. And do not forget to drink lots of water, take your vitamins, and eat healthier,” she adds.

Simpson explains that she started off by walking only 30 minutes every second day. But once the serotonin bug bit her, she was hooked. Now she goes for a 5 km run at least once a week. “I simply want to feel healthier again,” she says.

She believes our current reality is temporary and she is looking forward to life after lockdown. 

And what is she looking forward to most? Seeing other people smile. “Yes, I randomly smile at strangers. They always smile back. There is not enough love in this world and small things go a long way,” she says.


News Archive

Prof. Jansen meets the community
2012-05-16

 

Prof. Jansen listens attentively to Mr Teboho Moloi, who represented the Harrismith Business Forum at the community meeting where the UFS vision was shared.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

16 May 2012

We are very proud of our academic achievements, but without the human element, these achievements are not worth anything. This is according to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, who attended a meeting with the Thabo Mofutsanyana community in the Eastern Free State.

Prof. Jansen made the community aware that the university has two very important and interlinked projects – the academic and human projects.

“Our university has ambitions to produce the best scholars in various fields, but this cannot be done if we neglect the human aspect of doing things in the right way. We want to produce academic giants as much as we want to produce graduates of life,” said Prof. Jansen to an audience that included representatives from the traditional councils, business, religious and farming communities as well as the Maluti-A-Phofung and Dihlabeng Local Municipalities.

Prof. Jansen said that the memorandum of understanding that the university signed with the Dihlabeng Local Municipality in 2010 was already yielding positive results.

“There has been an enormous improvement in the matric results of the Dihlabeng schools that are part of our efforts to contribute towards building a brighter future for our children. We want to thank the municipality and the Honourable Mayor Tjhetane Mofokeng for being part of this partnership,” added Prof. Jansen.
 
“We are grateful that the university is considerate of its stakeholders in developing this Maluti-A-Phofung area. I am also aware that this institution has contributed towards the building of a crèche in the Mabolela village in Qwaqwa and for this we are very happy,” said Ms Linah Mnisi from Motlotlwane Projects and Consultants.
 

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