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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 |
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| 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 |
UFS celebrates establishment of a new department
2008-09-26
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At the celebration of the establishment of the Department of Genetics are, from the left: Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, Prof. Johan Spies, head of the Department of Genetics at the UFS, Prof. Chris Viljoen, associate professor at the UFS Department of Haematology and Cell Biology and previously associated with the Department of Genetics; seated: Prof. Paul Grobler, associate professor at the UFS Department of Genetics.
Photo: Stephen Collett
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UFS celebrates establishment of a new department
The establishment of the Department of Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (FS) was recently celebrated on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
The department, which formed part of the Department of Plant Sciences, is the only of its kind in the country that conducts research in behavioural genetics. “With behavioural genetics we try to determine if certain human behaviour is hereditary or if it is as a result of the environment. Although this is the fastest growing field of specialty in the United States of America, it is still an unknown field in South Africa,” says Prof. Johan Spies, head of the Department of Genetics.
The other specialty fields of the department are forensic genetics and conservation genetics. “Forensic genetics looks at the compilation of the DNA of animals. Because of our academics’ expertise, the department is regularly requested by the South African Police Service to assist them with establishing the origin of animals – especially in the case of game poaching. We recently completed a research project on cheetahs where we had to establish if they were acquired illegally of part of the farmer’s game. The research showed that the cheetahs were part of the farmer’s own breed,” says Prof. Spies.
Another specialty field of the department is conservation genetics where the genetic variance of animals is researched. A lot of research is done on vervet monkeys to determine from which area in the country they originate. The study must be completed before the 3000 vervet monkeys currently in rehabilitation centres are set free. The behaviour of monkeys in rehabilitation is also being researched.
Prof. Spies says: “Student figures in Genetics show an annual increase of 8% per year for the past five years. The first group of master’s degree students in Genetics will start their studies next year.” The department is also regarded as a leader on Clivia research.
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
25 September 2008
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