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21 April 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin and Carel van Wyk | Photo Rulanzen Martin
Tashinga Mandeya, a third-year student hailing from Zimbabwe is optimistic about being an agent of change for her community.
“Connect with what pushed you to study Social Work.” With these words, Ms Langi Malamba, Registrar: South African Council for Social Service Professions, implored the second-year Social Work students at the University of the Free State (UFS) to do some self-introspection. More than seventy 2020 and current second-year students have recently taken their oath. 

The two-part ceremony took place on Wednesday 14 April.  In her remarks, Ms Malamba referred to the theme of Social Work Month, namely Ubuntu: I am because we are. Social Work Month is annually observed in March. “As a Social Work student, you have to apply your studies to always be responsive,” she said. It is also critical to “learn from and observe your community, because as a social worker you have to connect with everything”, Malamba continued. She based her speech largely on the principles of ubuntu and ethics. “Social work also provides grounding,” Ms Malamba concluded. 

Adding to Malamba’s words of encouragement, Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, said this is an important milestone worth celebrating. Prof Hudson’s pledge of support to the students provided them with ‘three A’s’ to reflect on – advocacy, accountability, and (being an) ambassador. “The UFS espouses the value of ethics of care, and I think the social work profession is the embodiment of that. I hope you will share the values of the university with the rest of society,” Prof Hudson said. 

New head of department welcomed 

During the ceremony, Dr Mpumelelo Ncube was introduced as the new Academic Head of the Department of Social Work. In his brief remarks, he spoke about the need for students to continue reflecting on the importance of the oath in their everyday lives, as it is binding on their conscience. “This the only time you will take the pledge and it should be dear to you,” Dr Ncube said.

He takes over from Prof Sandra Ferreira who is retiring.

From the students

Neo Pule


“I decided to study Social Work based on my experience and the experiences of others back at home, because it is in my heart to help people and I am very resourceful. It gives me joy to help others.” – Neo Pule, third-year student.

 

 

Tyla de Villiers

“A personal family matter inspired me to pursue a degree in Social Work. I have always wanted to make a change to how social workers handled my family matter. I love helping people. The pledge of the Oath means that I will always be professional and keep it close to my heart.” –Tyla de Villiers, third-year student. 

 

 

Tashinga Mandeya 

“My decision to study Social Work is because we do not have the facilities such as rehabilitation centres and mental-health institutions. I hope to return to Zimbabwe to find out how I can be of assistance in getting these institutions to be more accessible.” Tashinga Mandeya, third-year student. 

 


 

News Archive

RC members of Armentum not expelled from residence
2009-05-29

According to a memorandum of agreement that was concluded between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Residence Committee (RC), the Senior Bond Committee and seniors of the Armentum Residence, the parties involved agreed, among others, that the RC members of this residence would not be expelled from the residence.

This follows an incident during which a first-year student from Armentum, Alex Marais, was injured because of alleged initiation and admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic.

According to the agreement, the RC members will resign from their positions and not make themselves available for the next RC election, with the exception of Mr M.J. Pretorius, the RC member for Rag. He will stay on as unelected member of the interim RC. The UFS undertook to pay the RC that is stepping down their honorariums honorariums in August.

The UFS also gave permission to the Residence Head of Armentum, Adv. Bradley Smith, to appoint an interim RC for the remaining period of office of the current RC.

The Senior Bond must also undertake to submit the current rules of the Senior Bond Committee to the Acting Rector, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, before 1 June 2009. The Senior Bond Committee undertakes to comply strictly with these rules, also during Senior Bond activities.

In addition the Senior Bond Committee and the current Residence Committee must submit the following information to Prof. Verschoor before the reopening of the UFS for the second semester :
- The current orientation practices with regard to first-year students.
- Proposals on how the practices can be adjusted to render them enforceable within humane, reasonable, fair and humanitarian limits in order to implement and comply with the objectives of orientation, the exercising of control and the laying down of rules.

The compensating fine that was levied against the tuition fees accounts of senior students of Armentum, which would have been used to contribute to the medical costs of Alex Marais, is now cancelled.

This settlement is final and the parties will not lay any claims against each other as a result of this incident in future.

Media Release:
Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
Email: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
29 May 2009

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