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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 |
School of Medicine White Coat ceremony embraces first-years into the fold
2016-03-17
From the left are first-year UFS medical students Liandri Van Zyl, Lane Halberg, Wisani Baloyi, and Neve Steenbeek at the annual White Coat ceremony, wearing their white coats for the first time. |
“Life isn’t about yourself. It’s about what you can pour into the lives of others.” The first-year medical students will not soon forget Dr Lynette van der Merwe’s words during their recent White Coat ceremony. Dr Van der Merwe is the Programme Director of the MBChB undergraduate program at the University of the Free State (UFS) School of Medicine.
The annual White Coat ceremony is a tradition at the school to welcome first-year students to the world of medicine. As an official initiation into this new world, students are allowed to put on their white coats for the first time. During the ceremony, representatives from the Medical Students Association contributed to the significance of the event by reading a declaration of intent regarding professional behaviour for all medical students.
Dr Wayne Marais, Head of the UFS Department of Ophthalmology, was the guest speaker, sharing his vivid memories of being the first black student to study Medicine at the UFS in 1987. Prof Marais encouraged students to embrace their failures and successes, and to ultimately stay true to themselves – both personally and professionally.
Second-year medical students were at hand to offer advice and support. In addition to offering encouragement, they also assured the newcomers that there is a life outside of their books as well.
The entire ceremony not only served to welcome the first-years into the fold, but also unite them in a common purpose towards helping others in future.