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18 August 2021
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Story Division of Student Affairs
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The SRC Elections for the elective portfolios will be held from 12 to 15 October 2021 for the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa and South Campuses.
Following the official announcement of the election schedule on 16 August 2021, the processes below are to unfold:
a. Candidate nominations for CSRC elective portfolios will open on 23 August, until 10 September 2021;
b. Ex-officio portfolio elections will take place on 11 October 2021;
c. Manifesto launches will take place via webinars from 15 September to 11 October 2021;
d. Declaration of final election results will be on 18 October 2021.
KDBS Consulting (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the independent Chief Elections Administrator that is to oversee and manage the 2021 online SRC elections.
A website will be launched to provide updated information regarding all processes that are to unfold. A detailed schedule will also be made available via the official elections website that will be hosted by the service provider.
For any queries related to the elections, communication is to be sent via email to the Chief Election Administrator at
ufssrcelections@kdbs.co.za Communication to the election helpdesk may also be sent via direct call or on WhatsApp at
+27 0 61 452 4499.
Election specific notifications will be communicated via email and SMS.
Official elections will take place from 12-15 October 2021.
HIV Cure – Just another fantasy?
2016-07-27
Twenty-years ago, after a person had been diagnosed with HIV, their lifespan did not exceed three years, but thanks to the success of antiretroviral therapy programmes, life expectancy has risen by an average of ten years. However, is antiretroviral therapy always going to be for life? This is the societal issue that Professor John Frater, addressed in his talk at the University of the Free State. He is an MRC Senior Clinical Fellow, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases at Oxford University.
Antiretroviral medicine therapeutic
The discovery of antiretroviral therapy - the use of HIV medicines to treat the virus - has had a positive effect on the health and well-being of people living with it, improving their quality of life. Unfortunately, if treatment is stopped, HIV rebounds to the detriment of the patient. Now, research has shown that some patients, who are treated soon after being infected by HIV, may go off treatment for prolonged periods. Work is being done to predict who will be able to stop treatment.
“The difference made by starting treatment earlier is enormous. Delaying treatment is denying yourself the right to health,” Professor Frater says. However, this does not mean that the virus is cured. “A person can live for ten years without being on HIV treatment, but is that enough?” he went on to ask.
Healthy lifestyles encouraged
The National Department of Health will adopt a test and treat immediately strategy later this year to improve patient health and curb the spread of HIV. ,This is another reason why everybody should know their status and start treatment as soon as possible.
Search for a cure continues
More research is being conducted to establish whether HIV can be eradicated. Remission gives hope that a permanent cure may be found eventually. “Will a cure for HIV ever be found? Time will tell,” he concluded.