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19 April 2021 | Story NONSINDISO QWABE | Photo Supplied
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

Pre-story: Inauguration of Prof F Petersen as 14th Rector of the UFS
2017-05-08

“At the UFS, we want to produce graduates for the world, and we need to ensure that we use our knowledge to uplift society”
— Prof Francis Petersen, 14th Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS)

This week marks the first stage of the official welcoming and inauguration of Prof Francis Petersen as the 14th Rector of the UFS, who assumed his duties on 1 April 2017. 

Proceedings will commence on our Qwaqwa Campus, with a function at which the community is to welcome the incoming Vice-Chancellor and Rector. The event on Thursday 11 May 2017 is expected to attract a wide spectrum of community leaders in the area. Speakers to welcome Prof Petersen will include representatives from the two trade unions, National Health Education and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and UVPERSU, as well as representatives from the Student Representative Council (SRC), Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District, and the House of Traditional Leaders.

On Thursday 18 May 2017, the South Campus in Bloemfontein hosts a welcoming ceremony for the new Vice-Chancellor and Rector, including a number of vocal performances and messages from various campus stakeholders. On Thursday afternoon, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) will also facilitate a panel discussion in the Albert Wessels Auditorium (AWO) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The inauguration proceedings culminate in an event in the Callie Human Centre on Friday 19 May 2017 at the Bloemfontein Campus, with number of performances by musicians and school choirs to further embellish the function. Key stakeholders will also have the opportunity to convey their messages of welcome to Prof Petersen. The formal inauguration ceremony will take place on the Bloemfontein Campus on the same day.

As the above events take place, this article will be updated with the most recent photographs and other information. 

 

Inauguration Events


Qwaqwa Campus
Date:    Thursday 11 May 2017
Venue: Rolihlahla Mandela Hall, Qwaqwa Campus, Phuthaditjaba
Time:   10:00

South Campus
Date:    Thursday 18 May 2017
Venue: Mandela Arena, South Campus
Time:   10:00

Bloemfontein Campus
Date:    Friday 19 May 2017
Venue: Callie Human Centre
Time:   10:00

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