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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

Ecofeminism a possibe solution to impending famine
2016-05-12

Description: Ecofeminism Tags: Ecofeminism

Dr Inge Konik (right) is pictured with her postdoctoral supervisor, Prof Bert Olivier, Senior Research Professor at the Department of Philosophy.
Photo: Valentino Ndaba

In view of the environmental and social problems faced in South Africa today, researchers such as Dr Inge Konik are hard at work mapping these issues and seeking long-term solutions. Dr Konik,  a lecturer in the Department of Journalism, Media and Philosophy at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) shared her views in a presentation on 6 May 2016. She spoke about revaluing indigenous ways of life and subsistence-focused lifeways, linking this to materialist ecological feminism, or ecofeminism for short.

Dr. Konik’s presentation, hosted by the Department of Philosophy at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), was entitled: “Transversal reflections on ecological feminism and ubuntu.” The research underpinning the presentation derived from Dr Konik’s doctoral thesis which was supervised by Ariel Salleh (University of Sydney) and Andrea Hurst (NMMU).

Dr Konik’s research suggests that ecofeminism - which is a convergence between environmentalism and feminism - may hold the answers to the question of how we may work against environmental and social injustices. She also proposed that society look back toward subsistence communities of the past, and those currently being marginalized in our industrial societies, and linked the values evidenced in the practices of these communities to the African philosophty of ubuntu. In order to solve  complex contemporary challenges Dr Konik suggests that we combine these seemingly disparate theoretical frames - ubuntu and ecofeminism - by applying a transversal approach, which involves openness to dialogue  between traditions.

“My focus was on ecological feminism and critical theory and very specifically on South Africa, given the challeges South Africa faces - the environmental and social challenges and what kind of frameworks would be helpful,” said Dr Konik, who will officially become a postdoctoral research fellow at the department as of July 2016.

Prof Pieter Duvenage, Head of the Departement, stated that compelling research outputs are anticipated from Dr Konik as a fellow.

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