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14 December 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Ofhani Mavhungu was recently awarded the Professor Rob Gous Scholarship by the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) of South Africa.

From a very early age, Ofhani Mavhungu knew he wanted to be involved in agriculture one day. Fast forward a few decades and you find Ofhani enrolled for the MScAgric Animal Science degree at the University of the Free State (UFS).

As a goal-orientated person who is open to new ventures, he reckons this degree will broaden his knowledge and understanding of the industry. “I believe Animal Science is an interdisciplinary field of study that enables students like me to pursue various career opportunities, ranging from primary animal production to secondary product processing, retail, and quality assurance. This motivates me to be part of the team that will ensure food security for the future generation,” says Ofhani.

Opening doors to a career in Animal Science

The Professor Rob Gous Scholarship for 2020/2021 that was jointly awarded to him and Victor Makofane of the University of Limpopo by the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) of South Africa, is for Ofhani a step closer to realising his dreams. 

“Diligence and hard work have always been the driving force throughout my studies, and I am delighted that my hard work was rewarded. This award further reflects on the Department of Animal Science’s dedication and commitment to build and mentor strong candidates who are recognised by the industry,” he says.

With increasing animal feed costs, the search for more cost-effective feed utilisation techniques – without compromising the nutritive value or feed quality – becomes critically important for intensive broiler producers. 

Ofhani’s study, which aims to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of a nutritional fat emulsifier with a high HLB on the (i) diet digestibility and (ii) production performance of broilers, will provide some insight into the possible energy-saving effect of dietary emulsifiers with a high HBL in broiler diets with moderate lipid inclusion levels. 

“A digestibility study will give more information on the emulsifier effect at metabolic level, and a production study will provide information on growth characteristics and carcass composition.”

An opportunity to compete with other candidates in the industry

“Few studies have been conducted on lipid emulsifiers under South African conditions, which necessitates the need for further research in this field,” he says. 

Ofhani, whose motto in life is to stay humble and accept positive criticism – as it is meant to enlighten you – wants to pursue a career in the animal feed industry. “My qualification will give me an opportunity to compete with other candidates of our generation in the industry, as well as on a research/academic level. By completing my MScAgric, I will broaden my own skill set so that I can continue with industry-related research in the future and provide mentorship to prospective animal scientists,” he adds. 

News Archive

UFS honours more than 250 former students with national colours in sport
2007-11-01

The Kovsie Alumni Trust of the University of the Free State (UFS) will be honouring more than 250 former students who obtained national colours in various sporting codes over the years during a gala dinner on Saturday, 3 November 2007 on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

This will be the first time in the history of the UFS that so many sportsmen and women who studied at the UFS will be honoured for their achievements at the same time.

During Saturday’s dinner 100 of the 250 former students will be present to receive their special awards. This includes among others Springbok rugby players such as the brothers Eben and Joggie Jansen, Nelie Smit, Edrich Krantz, Theuns Stofberg, Jannie du Plessis, Meyer Bosman and Hendro Scholtz. Some of the sport stars in other sporting codes who will also be present include Hennie Pretorius for athletics; Stephen Brink and Heinrich Brüssow for Sevens Rugby; Frans Botma for under water hockey; Hannette Bruwer and Annarie Store for netball; Annette Bekker for hockey and Corrie van Zyl and Gerhardus Liebenberg for cricket.

Special mention will also be given to the first sportsman and woman at the UFS, namely Joggie Jansen and Annette Bekker.

During the ceremony the tenth year of the Kovsie Alumni Trust’s existence will also be celebrated. The Trust, who is the main sponsor of the Matriculant of the Year Award, offers financial aid to many underprivileged and disabled students to help them complete their studies and supplies bursaries to prospective students.

The awards will be handed over by Mr Harold Verster, President of the Free State Rugby Union, and Danie Niehaus will be the guest artist.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
31 October 2007
 

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