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23 September 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Participants in the third Amazing Race travelled through the African continent, experiencing Africa’s roots and its rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures

During the third Amazing Race presented by Organisational Development and Employee Wellness, staff had the opportunity to virtually travel through Africa. 

The aim of the race with the theme, A Journey through Africa, was to celebrate South Africa and Africa’s roots and its rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures. 

Natasha Nel, organisational development specialist and organiser of the race, says they wanted to give the 13 participating teams the opportunity to explore, learn, create, and be challenged together as they travel to some of the most interesting and exotic locations around Africa, but also in South Africa. 

Here in our own country, teams had the opportunity to experience our culture as well as the diversity of beliefs and traditions.


Here in our own country, teams had the opportunity to experience our culture as well as the diversity of beliefs and traditions.

Interactive and exciting event

Nel says staff could join the race in the convenience of their personal working space via a Zoom meeting. “They only needed to download the game that was specifically tailored for the UFS.” 

“It was a fun, interactive, and exciting event. In this unique adventure, it was interesting to see how teams worked together, made decisions, and also thought outside the box during the challenges,” she says.

Nel explains that teams were requested to take photos, answer questions, and make decisions unique to Africa and their culture. Some decisions and answers were timed. They also had to decide where they wanted to travel, but each decision and option had its costs, reward, and challenge linked to it.

We are the champions

Chanel Lewis, Aneke Kruger, Runé van der Merwe, and Lischen du Randt walked away as winners of the third Amazing Race. 

By participating in this race, the university has sponsored 13 breakfasts for the Community Chest of South Africa (this organisation’s mission is to inspire and facilitate community giving for community enhancement).


News Archive

German institute invites UFS academic to research on algae to replace fossil fuels
2015-05-08

Prof Johan Grobbelaar
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Professor Johan Grobbelaar, from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State, has been invited by the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - IBG-2 at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH - to do research in Germany from 8 June 2015 to 4 September 2015.

During his research, Prof Grobbelaar will work on the institute’s large-scale outdoor cultivation of green micro-algae with the aim of finding alternate fuels for the aviation industry. This work includes the cultivation of algae in the laboratory, outdoors, and in the greenhouse; the mentoring of local scientists as well as assistance in, and planning of experiments for, green algae cultivation.

Prof Grobbelaar’s research focus is on Algal biotechnology, Limnology, and Photosynthesis. He has authored more than 80 articles in scientific journals, 18 chapters in scientific books, delivered more than 120 papers at scientific meetings, 41 of them at international congresses.  Among others, he was honoured with the highest award bestowed on a person by the International Association of Applied Phycologists with the title ‘Distinguished Applied Phycologist’.

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