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06 August 2021
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Story Nonsindiso Qwabe

Every year, the Active Civic Teaching Office (ACT) at the University of the Free State runs the Big Give campaign to raise food, money to buy food, and other forms of assistance for needy students. This year is no different. ACT’s big project is raising money for sanitary pads for students on all three campuses. The project will run throughout Women’s Month, August 2021. Providing menstrual hygiene products to female students empower them to continue their studies in comfort.
Karen Scheepers, Assistant Director: Kovsie Support Services, said: “This year, one of the challenges that have been highlighted is the lack of sanitary wear for students. Therefore, we focus our Big Give campaign this year on addressing this challenge that students are experiencing.”
Be part of the Big Give campaign by donating sanitary pads or money towards this initiative. Donation boxes are ready for donations at all the entrance gates of all three campuses. Your donation will go a long way in helping a deserving student.
Trade unionist brings today’s policy issues to the table
2017-01-02
Sidney Kgara currently heads the public-sector union of
Nehawu’s Policy Unit
Photo: Supplied
Sidney Kgara was appointed to the University of the Free State (UFS) Council in January 2015. He was appointed to the Council by Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, in one of three such positions.
Sidney heads the public sector union Nehawu's Policy Unit. The National Health Education and Allied Workers Union is the biggest public-sector union and the biggest union in the public service coordinating bargaining council. It therefore stands to reason that researching and drafting policy on issues such as labour market matters, public health and developments in higher education form the core responsibilities of the unit.
No stranger to university governance and leadership
Nehawu has a number of members working at the UFS and before his appointment, Kgara's only contact with the university was through its UFS members. However, he is no stranger to university governance and leadership. He was a student leader at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the 1990s and as a result has a broad understanding of student governance and university issues.
"Even though it was a different time and the circumstances were different, there is some sense of continuity to the issues we had to deal with then, and the issues that the university faces now," he says.
Kgara’s unique and valuable contributions to the Council
This, together with his experience in policy and research, enables Kgara to make a unique and valuable contribution to the Council.
Kgara is an avid reader and stimulating his mind through reading makes him truly happy. He also loves watching sport and enjoys socialising with friends.