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Mission: Possible

20 December 2021 | Story Igno van Niekerk | Photo Igno van Niekerk

Drs Pearce and Potgieter — Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery comment on their team members’ commitment and determination during the pandemic.

On the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, two UFS doctors are leading a team of inspired healthcare workers in a superhuman effort to make a positive difference.

With the pandemic in its second year and the recurring challenges of new waves and strains consistently in the news, one would expect the doctors to be tired. However, quite the opposite is true. Upon entering the office where Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery are in a meeting with colleagues, the debate is vibrant; an energetic sense of mission.

Miraculously succeeded

My brief is to collect stories and experiences they’ve had over the past 18 months at the Tumelo ward for general and high-care patients, where the team has miraculously succeeded in not running out of oxygen or ventilators, despite handling high volumes of patients from the Free State and Northern Cape. “We saw those pictures of piled-up bodies in Italy. We were committed to avoiding that at all costs. And we did.”

Success stories? First mentioned are their team members’ commitment and determination. The team had to stand in when families could not support dying patients. “They did not die alone. Our team was there.”

“Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late...” – Dr Nicholas Pearce

Then came hope

Sad stories? The past year has had its share of sad stories. “Someone comes in during the morning, needs oxygen, in the afternoon they are in ICU, then ventilator – and then they die. We’ve never faced anything like this before.”

Then came hope. Vaccines. Dr Pearce is in charge of the vaccination site at Universitas Hospital. “Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late ...” He opens his cell phone – shares the stats. “We can handle 2 000 vaccinations a day. At the moment about 250 comes in.” He shakes his head.

“We can beat this virus, but we need to stand together ...”

News Archive

2015/2016 SRC candidates announced

2015-08-19

Ledimo Nthejane, Independent Electoral Commission Provincial Manager, announcing the contenders for SRC elections at the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Congratulations to the successful 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominees. We wish you all the best with your campaigning.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been appointed by the UFS to take responsibility for the operational aspects of the upcoming SRC elections on the Bloemfontein campus. Their involvement spans over the period from the nomination process up to the announcement of the election results on 3 September 2015.

Bloemfontein Campus:

Edward de Wet (President)
Lindokuhle Ntuli (President)
Mpho Khati (Vice-President)
Nigel Marchall Masalla (Vice-President)
Nicola King (First-generation students)
Brand Louw (First-generation students)
Dineo Khotso Mashile (Transformation)
Katleho Mmolayeng Letube (Transformation)
Jeanne-Mari McDonald (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Lesley-Anne Terblanche (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Luke Harrold Small (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Nomathamsanqa Nomvula Kraai (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
Victor Sejane (Student Accessibility)
Sam-Maree Rooi (Student Accessibility)
Rememberance Rohula Kgabu (Student Accessibility)
Delia Moumakwe (Culture)
Mohau Moses Lesebo (Culture)
Kabelo Elijah Noosi (Sport)
Neo Gift Thebe (Sport)
Peo Morwesi Segano (Media and Marketing)
Gali Moticoe (Media and Marketing)
Mafelleng Itumeleng Matla (Student Development and Environment)
Karabo Pheko (Student Development and Environment)
Shaun Grobler (Treasurer)
Cornel Vermaak (Treasurer)
Katleho Masheane (Treasurer)
Thulani Babeli (Treasurer)
Nothando Hlophe (Secretary)
Tsietso Mafaso (Secretary)
Mihlali Matanzima (Secretary)

Qwaqwa Campus:

Tseko Masoeu (President)
Ntokozo Mbele (President)
Paseka Sikhosane (President)
Ntandoyenkosi Mndebele (President)
Zethu Mhlongo (Deputy President)
Limpho Mape (Deputy President)
Mpho Pooe (Deputy President)
Langelihle Mzobe (Deputy President)
Bannetse Mokhatla (Secretary General)
Londiwe Shezi (Secretary General)
Nondumiso Langa (Secretary General)
Palesa Selepe (Treasurer General)
Sabelo Vilakazi (Treasurer General)
Sinenhlanhla Mfeka (Treasurer General)
Solomuzi Khathi (Treasurer General)
Busisiwe Nkosi (Politics and Transformation)
Banele Mndwaweni (Politics and Transformation)
Nthabiseng Mokoena (Politics and Transformation)
Sibusiso Nyambose (Media and Publicity)
Nonkululeko Shabalala (Media and Publicity)
Khulani Mhlongo (Media and Publicity)
Bongiwe Buthelezi (Media and Publicity)
Nhlanhla Shabalala (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Thulane Dubazane (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
Lindokuhle Ngubane (Student Development & Environmental Affairs)

Nominations for the Secretary and Treasurer portfolios are still open until 12:00 noon on Friday 21 August 2015.

Important dates to note:

18 August 2015 - Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus campaigning commences

27 August 2015 - Qwaqwa campaigning ends

30 August 2015 - Bloemfontein campaigning ends

28 August 2015 - Qwaqwa Election Day

31 August 2015 - Bloemfontein Election Day

1 September 2015 - Qwaqwa SR handover and establishment sitting

4 September 2015 - Bloemfontein SRC handover and establishment sitting

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