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02 March 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Francois van Schalkwyk, Keenan Carelse, UFS Alumni, Bertus Jacobs, UFS, University of the Free State, alumni relations, IoT.nxt.

We are pleased to host Bertus Jacobs in our second episode of the Voices of the Free State podcast series. As Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt. (Internet of Things), Bertus’ mind is constantly searching for new techniques, and imparting these to his team of developers. Evident from his ‘always on’ approach, Jacobs has optimised his passion for turning ideas into mainstream realities. He co-founded a successful software company, CSS Software, which saw its humble beginnings grow from Bloemfontein-based to an international-footprinted company. CSS Software is regarded as having some of the most innovative products in its market segment and was acquired by a JSE-listed group.

François van Schalkwyk and Keenan Carelse, UFS alumni leading the university’s United Kingdom Alumni Chapter, have put their voices together to produce and direct the podcast series.  Intended to reconnect alumni with the university and their university experience, the podcasts will be featured on the first Monday of every month, ending in November 2021.  Our featured alumni share and reflect on their experiences at the UFS, how it has shaped their lives, and relate why their ongoing association with the UFS is still relevant and important. The podcasts are authentic conversations – they provide an opportunity for the university to understand and learn about the experiences of its alumni and to celebrate the diversity and touchpoints that unite them. 

Listen to the podcast: 

Our podcast guest

While studying towards his BScHons (Computer Science) at the University of the Free State, Bertus developed an SDK (Software Development Kit) with low-level integration into various graphics hardware.  

Bertus has researched many ways of contributing to the growing IT industry – from developing point-of-sale systems that still run today, qualifying as MCP and MCSE, engineering telematic and biometric solutions for clients (UFS was one of them). After being approached to consult in developing a solution for the government, his search for a certain hardware problem and his expertise in the IT realm resulted in his invention of a controller and the birth of the RAPTOR.  Reports that took eight weeks to compile previously, are now at the fingertips of those who need it – all through data harvesting and dashboarding that combines software and hardware. The world-changing RAPTOR delivers a complete IoT solution, which has been internationally validated as being at the forefront of the emerging IoT wave.  IoT.nxt was named Best Commercial and Best Overall Winner at the MTN Business M2M Awards in 2017.  

Stay tuned for episode three to be released on 5 April 2021. 

For further information regarding the podcast series, or to propose other alumni guests, please email us at alumnipodcast@ufs.ac.za 

News Archive

Zubeida Jaffer short film to feature on SABC3
2014-10-08

 

Zubeida Jaffer
Photos: Adrian Steirn, 21 Icons South Africa

The nation-building initiative known as 21 ICONS South Africa, was recently thrilled to announce that Zubeida Jaffer will feature in their second season due to her professional excellence as a journalist and author.

Jaffer is a well-known South African reporter and author and has been a writer-in-residence at the UFS for three years now. The 21 ICONS project was inspired by Nelson Mandela and has created a movement for positive change. By sharing the stories of iconic South African men and women, the intention is to inspire new generations to follow in their footsteps.

One icon is featured per week in a visual celebration of engaging and entertaining portraits and short films, along with an essay biography across multiple media platforms such as print, broadcast, outdoor and social media. Jaffer’s short film will be broadcasted on 2 November 2014 at 20:27 on SABC3 and her collectable portrait will be published in City Press on the same day.

Jaffer’s short film discusses her truth as a journalist and activist who was a key figure in the struggle movement in the Western Cape during apartheid. In an intimate conversation with Adrian Steirn (creator, photographer and director of 21 ICONS, Jaffer talks about her journey as a journalist who always seeks to uncover the truth and give people who don’t have a voice an outlet to express their views, opinions and thoughts.

Other iconic South Africans that have featured on 21 ICONS, were among others, Francois Pienaar (former Springbok rugby captain who won the 1995 Rugby World Cup), Pieter-Dirk Uys (satirist who used comedy and caricature to oppose the apartheid government) and Frene Ginwala (the first female speaker in the National Assembly of South Africa).

With the country celebrating 20 years of democracy, the message that everyone can do something to make a difference – which is portrayed in these powerful and inspiring stories that make up the second season of 21 ICONS – has been well-received by South Africans.

Be sure to get your City Press early and tune in on the evening of 2 November 2014 to see Jaffer’s feature on 21 ICONS.

Jaffer is also the publisher of the Journalist website (http://www.thejournalist.org.za/) launched earlier in 2014, of which the UFS is the founding member. The Journalist is “an independent, non-profit organisation working with the academic community and a range of credible online entities to make their knowledge more accessible to the wider public.”


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