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Ups and downs, gains and losses, and an LLB degree later

19 April 2021 | Story NONSINDISO QWABE | Photo Supplied

Tshepang 2_web read more — LLB graduate Tshepang Mahlatsi

‘Be loyal to your calling and the universe will locate you.’ This slogan is the mantra that University of the Free State LLM student, Tshepang Mahlatsi, lives by. It is also this slogan that carried him through a tumultuous journey during the pursuit of his LLB degree, which he received during the Bloemfontein Campus graduation ceremony on 19 April.

Mahlatsi began his LLB degree in 2014, but he had to take a break from his academics in 2016 after being clinically diagnosed with depression. He obtained his qualification in 2020. Mahlatsi said 2016 was a year that started on a high note for him as a third-year Law student and newly elected prime for Tswelopele residence, but quickly took a downward dive when he found himself overwhelmed by leadership demands – coupled with the simultaneous loss of loved ones and constant academic pressure. It ultimately led to a breakdown, forcing him to put his studies on hold. "I am graduating with my LLB after life-changing events in my undergraduate years – from student politics, depression, and PTSD, to starting a mental-health organisation and using both CUADS and Kovsie Counselling support services to come back to ‘normalcy’.”

He said the year-long break from his studies left him feeling discouraged as he watched his peers and classmates progress and graduate. "It was the most difficult thing to do to remind myself that I wasn't stupid."

"This journey exposed a lot about myself; it exposed that with determination and resilience, you can achieve what you set out to achieve. I had to persevere not because I wanted to, but because my family has never seen a graduate. I was doing this for them; to give them something they've never had,” he said.

UFS support services can save lives

Mahlatsi would like more students to make use of the UFS support services and not crumble under mental-health problems. "I hope to inspire students to use their support services and not be ashamed – services such as CUADS and Student Counselling and Development. I hope to inspire student leaders and students to realise that you can be a well-rounded student and still have challenges, but eventually, success awaits us all."

News Archive

UFS to honour two of Celtic’s founder members

2011-04-20

At the lunch were, from the left: Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations (acting); Mr Norman Mathobisa and Mr Victor Mahatanya, both founder members of the Bloemfontein Celtic Soccer Club; and Mr Billy-Boy Ramahlele, Director: Community Engagement at the UFS.

In this year, the University of the Free State (UFS) will recognise two of the founder members of the Celtics Soccer Club in Bloemfontein, Mr Norman Mathobisa and Mr Victor Mahatanya, for establishing one of the greatest soccer clubs in South Africa.

The Vice-Rector: External Relations (acting) at the UFS, Dr Choice Makhetha, and Mr Billyboy Ramahlele, Director: Community Engagement, recently had lunch with Mr Mathobisa and Mr Mahatanya. “As the university has a partnership with the Celtics Soccer Club, we would like to make an effort to get to know the founder members of this club better,” said Dr Makhetha.

At the lunch meeting Mr Mathobisa and Mr Mahatanya shared their experiences and other involvement in sport in the Free State over their lifetime.

Mr Norman Mathebula also serves on the Mangaung University Community Partnership Project (MUCPP) Committee who is working in partnership with Standard Bank in giving loans to SMME businesses.

Mr Mickey Gordon, Head: Corporate Affairs, Institutional Advancement and Sport at the UFS, is managing the working relationship with the Celtics Soccer Club. In terms of this agreement the soccer club, will amongst others, support Kovsie soccer players with skills development and hey will also conduct talent scouting.

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