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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 |
Andrew Mellon Foundation renews ongoing support for UFS projects
2017-04-10
Dr Saleem Badat and Annemia van der Heever.The University of the Free State (UFS) was first awarded a grant by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation (AWMF) in 2015 to fund several projects between 2015 and 2016 under the International Higher Education Strategic projects fund. The programme’s director, Dr Saleem Badat, visited the UFS on 23 March 2017 as part of his annual first-quarter feedback sessions, with not only the UFS but other universities around the country that benefited from the programme. Top of the agenda was a meeting with principal investigators of projects funded by the foundation, to discuss the UFS’s institutional priorities for funding, alongside the university’s management, to discuss possible intra-institutional projects to be undertaken with other universities.
During his visit, Dr Badat met with Prof Nicky Morgan, UFS Acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector, as well as the AWMF representative, Annamia van der Heever, Director: Institutional Advancement. He discussed future plans with managers of the Programme for Innovation in the Artform Development, #Movements project, Inclusive Professoriate Grant and the Curriculum reform programme which involved seven other universities.
The AWMF, through its projects, is instrumental in developing and maintaining strong higher education institutions that produce knowledge and high-quality graduates, and advances social justice. The projects further aim to deepen and broaden public understanding and support for the arts and humanities, diversity and inclusion. “The Foundation each year presents universities with wonderful opportunities to improve teaching, learning and research in the humanities. We are working hard with the Faculty of Humanities on possible submissions for 2017,” said Van der Heever.
During 2017 between $10.8 million and $12 million will be available for grants by the Foundation’s International Higher Education and Strategic Projects programme. The Vice-Chancellor’s Office will continue to serve as a contact point and administrative support for UFS projects currently funded by AWMF. Institutional Advancement will assist project leaders to draft submissions to the Foundation this year and in the future. In 2018 AWMF will celebrate 30 years of involvement in supporting higher education in South Africa.