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31 March 2021
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Story Xolisa Mnukwa
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The University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus conducted its first digital Campus Student Representative Council (CSCR) elections for the 2020/2021 SRC term. Elections for the 12 ex officio portfolios were conducted from 1 to 4 December 2020, while the elections for the 7 elective portfolios were conducted from 23 to 26 March 2021.
Of the 22 941
eligible voters for the elective portfolios, 8 044 cast their votes, which accounts for 35% of the voter’s roll. The 2021 voter turnout is an increase of 9,53% compared to the 2019 elections that were conducted manually. The CSRC incumbents mentioned below were officially inaugurated on 29 March 2021 and an official handover of the outgoing to the incoming incumbents was facilitated by the Student Governance Office.
The results below depict the final outcome of the CSRC elective portfolios. Elections were concluded at 21:00 on 26 March 2021. Watch video for the official inauguration.
| Position | Candidate | Votes |
| PRESIDENT | Jerry Thoka | 5 747 (74,6%) |
| Kamohelo Seleke | 1 960 (25.4%) |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT | Loretta Mosito | 5 563 (72,4%) |
| Esona Yapi | 2 116 (27,6%) |
| SECRETARY | Ayanda Dlova | 5 988 (78,3%) |
| Simphiwe Zonke | 1 660 (21,7%) |
| TREASURER | Orefile Sefika | 5 425 (70,7%) |
| Thandiwe Kula | 2 246 (29,3%) |
| POLICY AND TRANSFORMATION | Vusumzi Gqalane | 4 988 (63,8%) |
| Thabo Duma | 1 649 (21,1%) |
| Nompumelelo Khoza | 1 178 (15,1%) |
| STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS | Tshiamo Sebolai | 4 681 (60,4%) |
| Fhumulani Sididzha | 1 707 (22,0%) |
| Ofentse Ntsane | 1 365 (17,6%) |
| COMMUTER STUDENTS | Dimpho Mokhoantle | 4 469 (58,1%) |
| Marumo Rakwata | 1 643 (21,4%) |
| Lusanda Feleza | 1 582 (20,6%) |
The results below depict the outcome of the ex officio elections that took place from 1 to 4 December 2020:
| Position | Candidate |
|---|
| ASSOCIATIONS STUDENT COUNCIL | Michael Mnguni |
| STUDENT ORGANISATIONS COUNCIL | Tebogo Sako |
| ACADEMIC STUDENT COUNCIL | Katlego Booysen |
| DAY RESIDENCE COUNCIL | Sibongiseni Mncela |
| CAMPUS RESIDENCE COUNCIL | Mpho Maubane |
| POSTGRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL | Nico Janse van Rensburg |
| INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COUNCIL | Rufaro Chakanyuka |
| STUDENT MEDIA AND DIALOGUE COUNCIL | Wandile Manqele |
| UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL | Katlego Sekele |
| CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COUNCIL | Gert Terblanche |
| ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL | Katleho Khaola |
| SPORTS COUNCIL | Bongumusa Khumalo |
First solar charging station launched at UFS
2017-11-13
Students can now charge their phones at the first solar charging station
on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Moeketsi Mogotsi
On Friday 10 November 2017, the first solar charging station (600watts) was launched on the Bloemfontein Campus. This unit will be used by students to charge their phones and Ipads. It is the first of nine units to be installed on all three campuses; five on the Bloemfontein Campus and two each on the South and Qwaqwa Campuses.
Team effort results in great outcome
The project was a collaborative effort between the UFS and FCE Consulting Engineers. Coenie van der Merwe, Prototype Design Engineer, played a vital role in designing the charging unit. Anton Calitz, Electrical Engineer in University Estates’ Department of Facilities Management, says, “We are hoping that by the first quarter of 2018, we would have rolled out the remaining eight charging units.”
Project to enhance sustainability and address student needs
Prof Nicky Morgan, former Vice-Rector: Operations, says, “This should be a symbol of affordable opportunities that will both save the planet and enhance financial sustainability.” Nico van Rensburg, Senior Director of University Estates, says, “This renewable energy project is an innovative way of addressing student needs.”
However, students are advised not to charge other electrical appliances at the charging stations besides their phones and Ipads, as this may cause the charging unit to trip.
The UFS was recently awarded for its contribution towards sustainability. This was in recognition of its amazing initiative to install and operate photovoltaic (PV) and greywater systems on all three of its campuses.