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14 April 2021 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Keabetswe Modise is graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Administration Honours degree during the UFS virtual graduation on 19 April.
After repeating Grade 11 three times, a student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) is graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Administration Honours degree in April.

Keabetswe Modise, who is graduating on 19 April during the UFS virtual graduation, says she used her earlier failures as motivation to work even harder. 

“I am extremely proud of myself. I chose to win instead of crying over spilled milk. As a black, capable, and independent woman, I told myself that if there is a chance for trauma or depression, there is definitely a chance to succeed and enjoy life. This implies that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to. I now hold my family’s name high in both our community and within our external family,” says a proud Modise.

Modise, a part-time lecturer at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Welkom, has been accepted to study a Master of Public Policy and Development degree in Japan. Her academic year will commence early in 2022 and will take two years to complete.   

Motivation

“This (academic success) came as a surprise. I never thought that one day I would hold a postgraduate qualification, let alone that such a qualification exists. In high school, I repeated Grade 11 three times. At that time, I was known as the dumbest kid in school and in the community. 

“I was depressed, but I did not know what was going on with me. Therefore, I just wanted to pass my matric and work to survive. During my matric year, I really became more motivated after career orientation. This is when I knew I wanted to experience university life. I also wanted to use the chance to escape the dumb girl concept and come back with a victory to claim back my name. Today I am the most influential girl in my community.”

Making the most of the lockdown

Modise used the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown to her advantage, as it gave her the opportunity to not only study online, but to also start a successful fast-food business. 

“The consequences of the pandemic on universities have been to my advantage. I managed to work at home, with limited financial expenses such as transport and printing of documents. Also, my assessments were online. This also gave me the chance to start a fast-food business while tackling academic activities on time. 

“Most importantly, I did not have money for registration, and when the policy changed for late registration due to COVID-19 regulations, it gave me time to make a plan to finance my studies. Fortunately, by August, I received a bursary from the Postgraduate School at the UFS, because the HOD was impressed with my academic record. As much as the effects of COVID-19 were devastating on the lives of people, I managed to achieve my goal,” says Modise. 

Her inspiration 

According to Modise, her parents – who separated when she was very young – inspire her. Says Modise: “I appreciate everything they have done for me. I just want my father to one day address me as Dr Modise, while he and my mother can look back and be proud of the woman I have become.” 

“In this case, I can say that I get inspired by the vision of being applauded by both my mother and father.  Most importantly, I get inspired by the changing philosophy of government management. I admire the impact of globalisation around the world. Today, any academic institution can operate online.” 

Modise’s message to others is that nothing comes easy or without a cost: “It looks like it is impossible, but actually, this is your life. I can motivate someone as much as I can, but if you are not willing to be motivated, nothing can change for you. Also, no one owes anyone anything. This is your journey, drive it.”

News Archive

Access to the Bloemfontein Campus
2015-04-02

Access Control Made Easy

The first phase of access control at the University of the Free State (UFS) was implemented in August 2014. The aim of this initiative is to tighten security measures on the Bloemfontein Campus.
 
Since November 2014, access control has been implemented at all five gates on the Bloemfontein Campus. These are:

  • The Main gate in Nelson Mandela Drive (Gate 1)
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive (Gate 5)
  • The gate in Wynand Mouton Drive (Gate 3) 
  • The gate in Furstenburg Street (Gate 4)
  • The gate in Badenhorst Street (Gate 2)

Here is some useful information about the access control system:

1. Remember your access card when you enter the campus

Dual-function cards (with distance reader compatibility) will make your movement through the gates more convenient. The university’s access system works automatically with remote or swipe action. Please make sure that you drive close to the reader or, better still, get the dual-frequency card to manage the distance between your vehicle and the remote card reader.

As of 23 March 2015, the extra security staff, who have been assisting at the gates since the implementation of access control on the Bloemfontein Campus, are no longer manning the card readers at the gates. Therefore, persons without cards will be able to enter the campus only at the one gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. They will be referred to the Visitors Centre, where a day visitor’s card will be issued to them. You will need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

Security will continue their normal duties at the guardhouses for the various gates on the campus.

2. Where do I get an access card?

You can apply at the university’s Visitors Centre front desk by producing your positive identification (ID book/passport/driver’s licence) and proof of payment for your access card.

You will then be directed to the Thakaneng Bridge where you will be able to collect your access card.

  • Go to the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge and pay your R65 for the dual-frequency card
  • Take your receipt, together with your existing card (if you have one), to the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge (next to Mellins Optometrists)
  • A new photo will be taken of you at the Card Office for your new card. Your new card will then be issued immediately.

Currently, there is a sufficient stock of the dual-frequency cards available at the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge.
 
Alternatively, you can apply online for your access card: http://apps.ufs.ac.za/cardapplication/application.aspx

Make sure you have the following documents ready to attach when completing the online form:

  • Copy of positive identification: ID/Driver's Licence/Passport
  • Signed declaration (http://supportservices.ufs.ac.za/dl/Userfiles/Documents/00007/4668_eng.pdf) by your service provider/employer (if you are a service provider) or a letter of confirmation from your spouse/partner/relative/coach/relevant UFS staff member or student in cases where you have to visit, pick-up or drop off your spouse/partner/relative frequently on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Cost: R65 for a long-term card and free of charge for short-term visits and conference delegates. Pay at the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge or at Absa Bank, Account Number: 1 570 8500 71, Ref: 1 413 07670 0198.

3. Cutoff Date: 7 April 2015

After 7 April 2015, no pedestrian or motorist will be able to enter the campus without a valid access card. Persons without access cards will have to enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will then be referred to the Visitors Centre where you will have to apply for a day visitor’s card. It is important to note that no one will be able to enter the campus at the Visitors Centre without a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

4. Dual-frequency card simplifies access to the campus

It is important to have your card ready on entering the campus.

This card will simplify access to the campus considerably, as the card reader will read the card when it is held in a vertical position at the driver’s side window in the direction of the distance reader. Please do not place the card on the dashboard. There is an antenna wire in the card. If the card is placed on the dashboard, you are not exposing the card surface to the reader, and that might influence the antenna’s response to the reader.

Remember, the distance between the reader and the boom is only a few metres.  If you approach the reader at a ’high’ speed, you are not allowing the system to identify your card, match it to the entry in the database, check if you are ‘legal’, and then send a signal to open the boom. 

All five gates are equipped with distance readers. Within the next three weeks, two extra distance readers will also be installed at the Main Gate in Nelson Mandela Drive.
 
Please note that the dual-frequency card is needed only when you enter the campus with a vehicle and you want to activate the distance reader. All the older cards will continue to work at the tag readers. 

5. Use alternative gates

At times, some of the gates carry more traffic than others, especially with the peak morning and afternoon traffic. Gates with less traffic include:

  • The gate in Badenhorst Street
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive
  • The gate in Nelson Mandela Drive

You are welcome to make use of one of these alternative gates.

6. Pedestrians

No pedestrian will be able to enter the Bloemfontein Campus without a valid access card. If you have left your card at home or have lost it, you should enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will be referred to the Visitors Centre where you can apply for a day visitor’s card. You will still need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

7. More information

Email: visitorscentre@ufs.ac.za
Visitors Centre front desk: Tel: +27 51 401 7766 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Card Division: Tel: +27 51 401 2799 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Protection Services duty room: +27 51 401 2634 (24 hours)

 

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